Still Spinning

I am still spinning from the life that I chose when I married a member of a singing group. He told me when we wed that I would never be bored. How very true those words would become. Life's lessons would not only speed up and become exciting, yet it was confusing at times. I had to share most of my experiences. I hope some insight will be revealed during your reading. Marrying a celebrity should remind one to be true to yourself no matter what the circumstance! Has this been done before by the wife of a group member? I don't know if it is has. Good reading!

Sixteen-year-old heiress and paparazzi darling Liddi Jantzen hates the spotlight. But as the only daughter in the most powerful tech family in the galaxy, it's hard to escape it. So when a group of men shows up at her house uninvited, she assumes it's just the usual media-grubs. That is, until shots are fired. Liddi escapes, only to be pulled into an interplanetary conspiracy more complex than she ever could have imagined. Her older brothers have been caught as well, trapped in the conduits between the planets. And when their captor implants a device in Liddi's vocal cords to monitor her speech, their lives are in her hands: One word, and her brothers are dead. Desperate to save her family from a desolate future, Liddi travels to another world, where she meets the one person who might have the skills to help her bring her eight brothers home-a handsome dignitary named Tiav. But without her voice, Liddi must use every bit of her strength and wit to convince Tiav that her mission is true. With the tenuous balance of the planets deeply intertwined with her brothers' survival, just how much is Liddi willing to sacrifice to bring them back? Haunting and mesmerizing, this retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Wild Swans fuses all the heart of the classic tale with a stunning, imaginative world in which a star-crossed family fights for its very survival. Praise for Spinning Starlight "Like the best mid-20th-century science fiction, this entertaining adventure delivers the thrilling plot, effortless worldbuilding, compulsive readability, and indefinable 'sense of wonder' of grand masters like Heinlein and Asimov (but with decidedly updated sensibilities)." -Kirkus Reviews "This story shows the importance of truth and that every choice has consequences. The themes are universal, and it is more than standard science fare. It has heart and will provide readers with real engagement." -VOYA Praise for Stitching Snow "'Snow White' gets an upgrade in this clever, surprisingly gritty science-fiction version." -Kirkus Reviews "[A] gripping story with lots of moving parts [that] will likely appeal to fans of genre fiction." -Booklist "This has strong appeal for sci-fi and fantasy lovers and fans of Marissa Meyer's 'Lunar Chronicles.'" -School Library Journal "[D]ebut author Lewis reveals a talent for worldbuilding and creating complex, memorable characters. As Essie owns up to her past and takes control of her fate, SF and fairytale fans alike will enjoy watching her beat the odds and find romance in the process." -Publishers Weekly "Stitching Snow is a satisfying read for those who appreciate strong female protagonists embedded in plots of intrigue." -VOYA

Tillie Walden's Eisner Award winning graphic memoir Spinning captures what it’s like to come of age, come out, and come to terms with leaving behind everything you used to know. It was the same every morning. Wake up, grab the ice skates, and head to the rink while the world was still dark. Weekends were spent in glitter and tights at competitions. Perform. Smile. And do it again. She was good. She won. And she hated it. For ten years, figure skating was Tillie Walden’s life. She woke before dawn for morning lessons, went straight to group practice after school, and spent weekends competing at ice rinks across the state. Skating was a central piece of her identity, her safe haven from the stress of school, bullies, and family. But as she switched schools, got into art, and fell in love with her first girlfriend, she began to question how the close-minded world of figure skating fit in with the rest of her life, and whether all the work was worth it given the reality: that she, and her friends on the team, were nowhere close to Olympic hopefuls. The more Tillie thought about it, the more Tillie realized she’d outgrown her passion—and she finally needed to find her own voice. This title has Common Core connections. A New York City Public Library Notable Best Book for Teens A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017 A 2018 YALSA Great Graphic Novel A 2017 Booklist Youth Editors' Choice

The Tale of the Spinning Wheel by Elizabeth Cynthia Barney Buel: "The Tale of the Spinning Wheel" by Elizabeth Cynthia Barney Buel is a heartwarming children's story that revolves around a spinning wheel and the people connected to it. Through a series of interconnected tales, the book weaves a delightful narrative that highlights the importance of kindness, compassion, and community. Elizabeth Cynthia Barney Buel's storytelling captures the magic of folktales and imparts valuable life lessons to young readers. Key Aspects of the Book "The Tale of the Spinning Wheel by Elizabeth Cynthia Barney Buel": Interconnected Stories: The book presents a collection of interconnected tales that revolve around a central theme, imparting important life lessons. Moral Values: Elizabeth Cynthia Barney Buel uses storytelling to convey moral values such as kindness, generosity, and the rewards of virtuous behavior. Children's Literature: "The Tale of the Spinning Wheel" exemplifies the charm and enchantment of classic children's literature, catering to the young reader's imagination. Elizabeth Cynthia Barney Buel was an American author known for her contributions to children's literature. Her stories often centered around valuable life lessons and the magic of folktales. "The Tale of the Spinning Wheel" exemplifies her talent for crafting charming narratives that leave a lasting impact on young readers.

For knitters, crocheters, and weavers ready to make their own yarn, this handy guide provides detailed instructions for spinning both on a spindle and a wheel, and offers a special section devoted to troubleshooting and wheel maintenance that keeps projects on track. It offers a comprehensive look at the various available fiber options, choosing and preparing each type of fiber for use, and crafting these materials into ready-to-work pieces. A final chapter on the various uses of spun yarn focuses on project planning, with definitions and context for measuring wraps per inch, determining yards for specific projects, and choosing a yarn size.

If you are interested in exploring the infinite possibilities of making your own yarns, veteran spinner and teacher Judith MacKenzie McCuin offers insight, understanding, and invaluable information about your craft in The Intentional Spinner with DVD. The Intentional Spinner with DVD is a compendium of spinning wisdom, with a fun blend of technical knowledge, history, tips, and gently opinionated narrative. Yarn making is approached in three fundamental areas: Understanding Fibers: Compare the rich historic traditions of plant and animal fibers with the fascinating scientific advances in synthesizing fibers. Managing Yarn Structure: Step-by-step instructions and photographs demonstrate the range of possibilities in yarn, from sturdy plied yarns to playful novelty yarns. Practical Uses: Learn how to make yarns that precisely match your needs with decision making and planning to create the exact project you want from the beginning. The Intentional Spinner with DVD includes four projects that demonstrate how handspun can be used in weaving and knitting. The projects explain how to choose material, techniques, and finish the processes. The enclosed DVD features detailed information on yarn diameter, plying, novelty yarn structures, and finishing. Blending technical expertise and fascinating lore, The Intentional Spinner with DVD is a must-have reference for every spinner.

The world of arms dealing, espionage and TV cookery collide in this fast moving comedy caper. Failing celebrity agent Dermot Jack thinks his luck might have turned when a mysterious Russian oligarch hires him to represent his pop star daughter. Disaffected MI5 officer Anna Preston is just as happy to be handed the chance to resurrect her own career. Little do they know that their paths are about to cross again after seventeen years as they're thrown together in a desperate attempt to lure a notorious arms dealer into a highly unusual trap. Hard enough without having to deal with the lecherous celebrity chef trying to save his daytime TV career or the diminutive mafia enforcer who definitely has his own agenda. Then there's the very impatient loan shark who 'just wants his money back'. And Anna's bosses are hardly playing it straight either. But one thing's for sure. There'll be winners and losers when the Meal of Fortune finally stops spinning. Oh, and another thing, Anna and Dermot are absolutely not about to fall in love again. That's never going to happen, OK?