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Hi Local Colorado Friends,

Sending a final reminder about my book signing happening this Saturday, May 21 at the Lyons Regional Library from noon to 2 pm. I would love to see you stop in! Books will be on discount, and 15% of sales goes to support the Lyons Vet Clinic charity fund.

Hi Colorado locals. I’m holding a book signing next Saturday, May 21st, at the Lyons Regional Library from noon to 2pm. I would love to see you stop by. Not only are there great discounts on the books, but proceeds also go to help out the Lyons Vet Clinic charity fund. It will be fun!

The Basketful Relief Project (BRP) pledged 50% of book sales during the months of March/April to support the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis through the UN World Food Program, and the BRP has kept it’s promise. On May 3rd, the BRP donated $463.50 to this cause. This amount supplies six families of five for an entire month. The bulk of book purchases were the eBooks on sale at $0.99. It’s amazing how far a dollar can go! If you know of anyone who would like to join the launch team for The Zoe-Chai Seed, launching next month, just let me know. Together we can impact the world for good.

Here is an excerpt of the receipt letter from UNWFP:

To find out more about the BRP: https://basketfulreliefproject.com/

Purchase: The Pond of Reflection

Purchase: The Hyrax Song

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For the months of March and April, The Basketful Relief Project is donating 50% of sale proceeds to support the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis through the UN World Food Program USA.

Consider buying a paperback for a friend! You will be feeding both a tummy and mind!

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For the months of March and April, The Basketful Relief Project is donating 50% of sale proceeds to support the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis through the UN World Food Program USA.

Consider buying a paperback for a friend! You will be feeding both a tummy and mind!

The Hyrax Song, book two in The Pearls of Wisdom Series, published in March, 2022. The published manuscript has been reviewed by Readers’ Favorite and has received the honor of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Sarah Scheele for Readers’ Favorite, April 2022

Princess Journee is a little mouse with a big mission. In The Pond of Reflection (Pearls of Wisdom Series Book 1), written by Catherine Ann Russell and illustrated by Brooke Connor, the princess lives with her royal father. He abhors shallowness and has forbidden mirrors in the peaceful kingdom so that no one will be selfconscious about their appearance. The internal person, the “insideout,” is of greater importance. But Journee doesn’t know what she looks like and feels she doesn’t know enough about herself even though she is aware that the external does not define her. For her birthday, she goes on a quest, traveling through the kingdom with three friends in search of the Pond of Reflection, which can serve as a mirror since the kingdom has none.

With a pristinely flowing narrative and quirky characterization, The Pond of Reflection (Pearls of Wisdom Series Book 1) has a lot of charismatic strength, and the story never falters. A moral fable at its finest, it springboards off a Bible verse, Proverbs 27:19, to build a winsome story about finding true self-respect. It’s a beautiful, high-quality fantasy story about a set of four close-knit animal friends who quietly meander through an enchanted countryside and discover life together. A splendid yet understated interior of illustrations and decorative page design makes this book perfect for little readers to savor and read over and over. Catherine Ann Russell’s book is the sort of story I loved to read as a child and I’m sure many young people today will enjoy it too because it depicts the world of children, what they need, and what preoccupies them so sympathetically.

All three books have been entered into the 2022 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest in the following categories: Children’s – Adventure, Fairy Tale, Christian, Coming of Age, and Illustration. Award winners in all categories will be announced September 1, 2022.

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Please consider purchasing one or both of these books. During the month of April, 50% of book sales of either book will be donated to support the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis through the UN World Food Program USA.

The Pond of Reflection, book one in The Pearls of Wisdom Series, published in December, 2021. The published manuscript has been reviewed by Readers’ Favorite and has received the honor of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Sarah Scheele for Readers’ Favorite, April 2022

Princess Journee is a little mouse with a big mission. In The Pond of Reflection (Pearls of Wisdom Series Book 1), written by Catherine Ann Russell and illustrated by Brooke Connor, the princess lives with her royal father. He abhors shallowness and has forbidden mirrors in the peaceful kingdom so that no one will be selfconscious about their appearance. The internal person, the “insideout,” is of greater importance. But Journee doesn’t know what she looks like and feels she doesn’t know enough about herself even though she is aware that the external does not define her. For her birthday, she goes on a quest, traveling through the kingdom with three friends in search of the Pond of Reflection, which can serve as a mirror since the kingdom has none.

With a pristinely flowing narrative and quirky characterization, The Pond of Reflection (Pearls of Wisdom Series Book 1) has a lot of charismatic strength, and the story never falters. A moral fable at its finest, it springboards off a Bible verse, Proverbs 27:19, to build a winsome story about finding true self-respect. It’s a beautiful, high-quality fantasy story about a set of four close-knit animal friends who quietly meander through an enchanted countryside and discover life together. A splendid yet understated interior of illustrations and decorative page design makes this book perfect for little readers to savor and read over and over. Catherine Ann Russell’s book is the sort of story I loved to read as a child and I’m sure many young people today will enjoy it too because it depicts the world of children, what they need, and what preoccupies them so sympathetically.

Review of the second book of the series, The Hyrax Song, is still pending.

All three books have been entered into the 2022 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest in the following categories: Children’s – Adventure, Fairy Tale, Christian, Coming of Age, and Illustration. Award winners in all categories will be announced September 1, 2022.

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Please consider purchasing one or both of these books. During the month of April, 50% of book sales of either book will be donated to support the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis through the UN World Food Program USA.

The Zoe-Chai Seed, book three in The Pearls of Wisdom Series, publishes in early June. The unpublished manuscript has been reviewed by Readers’ Favorite and has received the honor of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers’ Favorite, April 2022

The Zoe-Chai Seed (Pearls of Wisdom – Book 3) was written by Catherine Ann Russell and illustrated by Brooke Connor. What a wonderful way to teach children about loyalty and true friendship with a story about a kingdom of animals of all sorts who live harmoniously with each other and have a mouse for a king. The fact that the adventures are conducted by the king’s daughter Journee and that the king encourages her and helps her in the adventures with her friends is delightful. I like to think that it would encourage children to explore the world around them with the help of an adult with a lively imagination.

When I read it, I thought what a lovely book to share in schools and with grandchildren. The Zoe-Chai Seed by Catherine Ann Russell is well written for a young audience. Just before the journey to find the wonderful seed gets too long, another adventure or mishap helps keep the attention of the young reader. The illustrations are wonderful, especially the map at the beginning of the book which is a delightful way for youngsters to trace the adventure of Princess Journee, Mr. Steed, Mr. Owl, Mr. Toad, and Mr. Hopper from the Locust Army. I found it a delightful story and really enjoyed it, especially the message it sends to each child that love and generosity of spirit are more important than many other things we think are important. Thank you for a lovely book for children. It is well worth reading, especially in a classroom, or on a cold winter’s afternoon to loved ones in front of a warm fire, sharing hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Reviews of the other two books, The Pond of Reflection, and The Hyrax Song, are still pending.

All three books have been entered into the 2022 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest in the following categories: Children’s – Adventure, Fairy Tale, Christian, Coming of Age, and Illustration. Award winners in all categories will be announced September 1, 2022.

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Please consider purchasing one or both of these books. During the month of April, 50% of book sales of either book will be donated to support the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis through the UN World Food Program USA.

And hit #1 in Children’s Inspiration & Personal Growth, and #2 in Children’s Bedtime & Dream eBooks and Children’s Christian Books.

At this exciting moment, the first book of this series, The Pond of Reflection, did not disappoint.

The Basketful Relief Project (BRP) is honored that even for a brief moment, both series books placed in the top five books in both Children’s Inspiration & Personal Growth category (first and fifth respectively), and Children’s Bedtime & Dream eBooks category (second and fourth respectively).

Thank you for all your support for the BRP! Remember, for the month of March, 50% of book sales of The Hyrax Song will support relief efforts for the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis through the UN World Food Program USA.

We are thrilled to announced the publication of book two in The Pearls of Wisdom Series called, The Hyrax Song. The eBook is on sale now for $0.99, and free on Kindle Unlimited!

Staying true to our mission at the Basketful Relief Project, to feed both young tummies and minds, through the month of March, we are donated 50% of proceeds from The Hyrax Song book sales to the Ukrainian refugee crisis through the UN World Food Program USA. Please consider a purchase today to feed young minds with another fun adventure with Journee and her friends, that will also help our Ukrainian neighbors in crisis. Together, we make this world a better place!

Purchase this book on Amazon here

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Journee is not only a mouse but a princess who loves adventure, especially when she has them alongside her best friends, Mr. Toad, Mr. Owl, and Mr. Steed. Not long after their very first escapade together, finding the legendary Pond of Reflection, the four companions find themselves in yet another wild exploit, that is decidedly dangerous and threatens the entire kingdom. On one lovely fall day, the friends have no idea what is in store for them when they discover a furry blob on top of a boulder and learn of a message for Journee’s father, the Great Mouse King. This message leads them into an exciting adventure, with an unlikely plan that just might thwart a mysterious threat gathering in the Great Plains by the sea.  A plan that will require the help of every kingdom animal, great and small, and a very special gift of the rock hyraxes, who live in the crags of the High Western Mountain. For Journee, the best part about these kinds of adventure? If one can survive them, one undoubtedly will make new friends.
The Hyrax Song is a children’s series chapter book geared for ages 9-12.

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