Phenomenal fairy tale reimagining - The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood

The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood

By Melanie Cellier

Book 2 in the Four Kingdoms Series

🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 (5)

I ADORED this book too! The author brilliantly reimagined this story! The character development was phenomenal, as usual. It was so unique and beautiful. The romance and adventure were well done and balanced. I would rate this clean, PG. 

For more by this author and in this series, click here. 

*This is available for purchase and on Kindle Unlimited. Don't know what Kindle Unlimited is, check it out here! 

Skillful Reimagination - The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea

The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea

By Melanie Cellier

The Four Kingdoms Book 1

🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴(5)

This was quite an interesting book! It was unique and I love the twists on well-known fairytales that were used. I really enjoyed switching between the perspectives of different characters, it added a great depth and was very natural, not at all forced or choppy. All in all, sweet and fun twist on a fairytale. I would rate it PG and clean. 

For more by this author and in this series, click here. 

*This is available for purchase and on Kindle Unlimited. Don't know what Kindle Unlimited is, check it out here! 

May Reading List

Indulgence Row
Sweet Confections by Danyelle Ferguson
Love Under Construction by Danyelle Ferguson

No Match for Love
Strike a Match  by Lindzee Armstrong
Meet Your Match by Lindzee Armstrong
Miss Match by Lindzee Armstrong
Not Your Match by Lindzee Armstrong
Mix 'N Match by Lindzee Armstrong
Mistletoe Match by Lindzee Armstrong

Magnolias and Moonshine
Taste of Tara by Shanna Hatfield
From Now On: Atlanta Belles by Raine English
The Sassy Bride: Gone with the Brides  by Ciara Knight
A Strange Twist of Fate by Debra Erfert
Sweet Georgia Peach by Amelia C. Adams
Hit and Run Love  by Jennifer Peel
It Could Happen to Us by Lucy McConnell
A Kiss is Just a Kiss: The Summer Bridesmaids by Melinda Curtis
Sweet Love of Mine by Lindi Peterson
The Wedding Charm by Susan Hatler
Anxious in Atlanta (At the Altar Book 12) by Jennifer Peel
Paige's Turn by Jennifer Peel

The Sweethaven Circle
A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh
A Sweethaven Homecoming by Courtney Walsh
A Sweethaven Christmas by Courtney Walsh

Griffin Force Series
The Captive by Julie Coulter Bellon
The Captain by Julie Coulter Bellon

The Capture by Julie Coulter Bellon

REAL life fairy tale - Kindle Unlimited
Beauty and the Beast: a REAL life fairy tale by Jamie Brook Thompson
The Frogg Princess: a REAL life fairy tale by Jamie Brook Thompson
Sleeping Beauty: a REAL life fairy tale by

Destined for Love: Europe - Kindle Unlimited
Desperately Seeking Mr. Right  by Sally Johnson
Kiss Me in the Moonlight  by Lindzee Armstrong
Meet Me At Sunrise by Lucinda Whitney
Once Upon a Wish  by Danyelle Ferguson

Hold Me At Twilight by Lucinda Whitney *Companion to Meet Me at Sunrise

Hearts in Peril: Destination Billionaire Romance by Kaylee Baldwin

End Zone: Book 7 Last Play Romance Series by Taylor Hart

Grace to Save: Contemporary Christian Romance  by Carol Moncado
The Lifeguard, the New Guy, & Frozen Custard by Carol Moncado
A Twist of Faith: Will a wager against her future steal her chance at true love? by Pepper Basham

My American Angel by Brooke St. James

Matchmaker for Hire by Rachel John

Accidentally in Love: Kam's Story by Shannon Guymon
Beauty and the Billionaire Beast: Destination Billionaire Romance by Maria Hoagland
A Nashville Collection: Nashville Dreams and Nashville Sweetheart by Rachel Hauck
The Dating Experiment by Elodia Strain
Right Where We Belong by Deborah Raney, Melissa Tagg, Courtney Walsh
Cancun Getaway by Cami Checketts

Tomorrow's Lullaby by Lindzee Armstrong

Cowboy Reality Romance: Tayson by Erica Penrod

Going Home by Robbin J. Peterson
Sense and Second Chances by Brittany Larsen
Wrong For You by Jenny Proctor

April Reading List

Enchanted Inc. 
Enchanted Inc by Shanna Swendson
Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson
Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson
Don't Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson
Much Ado About Magic  by Shanna Swendson
No Quest for the Wicked  by Shanna Swendson
Kiss and Spell by Shanna Swendson
Frogs and Kisses by Shanna Swendson
*I ADORED this series and will be writing up reviews soon!

Carol Moncado Books (Most on Kindle Unlimited)
Gifts of Love: Contemporary Christian Romance  by Carol Moncado
Manuscripts & Mistletoe by Carol Moncado
Good Enough For a Princess by Carol Moncado
Along Came A Prince by Carol Moncado
More Than A Princess by Carol Moncado
Hand Me Down Princess by Carol Moncado
Winning the Queen's Heart by Carol Moncado
Prince From Her Past by Carol Moncado
Protecting the Prince by Carol Moncado
Finding Mr. Write by Carol Moncado
Finally Mr. Write by Carol Moncado
Discovering Home by Carol Moncado
Glimpsing Hope by Carol Moncado

Finding Love Romance

Finding Love In Big Sky, Montana by Angela Ruth Strong

Finding Love in Park City, Utah: by Angela Ruth Strong

Finding Love in Sun Valley, Idaho by Angela Ruth Strong

Chasing Red by Lauren Winder Farnsworth
How to Train a Husband  by Sarah Gay
How To See With Your Heart  by Jennifer Youngblood

Walk of Infamy (Rhea Jensen Series Book 6) by Sheralyn Pratt
Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt

Happily Ever After (Cinder & Ella #2) by Kelly Oram
Love Stung by Brooke St. James
Table for One: An Inspirational Romance by Leah Atwood
I Heart You: 5 Contemporary Christian Romances by
Lost Without You by Annette Lyon
Love at First Laugh: Eight Romantic Novellas Filled with Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After by
Saints & Suspects (Saints & Spies Book 2) by Jordan McCollum

Suddenly Starstruck  by Brooke St. James

Delay of Game by Lucy McConnell
Cowboy Reality Romance: Jaxon by Erica Penrod
Reluctant Rescue  by Cami Checketts
Never Ever After by Lucy McConnell

March Reading List

Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
Friends and Foes by Sarah M. Eden
Drops of Gold  by Sarah M. Eden
As You Are by Sarah M. Eden
A Fine Gentleman by Sarah M. Eden
The Athletic Groom by Lucy McConnell
Always Will by Melanie Jacobson
Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore
Lady Emma's Campaign by Jennifer Moore
Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore
Simply Anna by Jennifer Moore

Fircrest Series
Love and Dessert: 
You Belong with Me by Shannon Guymon
I Belong with You by Shannon Guymon
My Sweetheart by Shannon Guymon
Love and Trust: 
Come to Me by Shannon Guymon
Be Mine by Shannon Guymon
Tough Love by Shannon Guymon
Love and Flowers: 
Falling for Rayne by Shannon Guymon
Dreaming of Ivy by Shannon Guymon
A Passion for Cleo by Shannon Guymon
Love and Weddings: 
My One and Only by Shannon Guymon
Free Fallin  by Shannon Guymon
At Last by Shannon Guymon

The Most Important Catch by Jaclyn Hawkes
At the Stroke of Midnight: A Sweet Romance  by Kate Palmer
Shot to the Heart: A Sweet Romance Novella by Kate Palmer
The Athletic Groom: Billionaire Marriage Brokers by Lucy McConnell
How to Love a Dog's Best Friend  by Cami Checketts
Arizona Forever by Jaclyn Hawkes
A Trusting Heart by Shannon Guymon
The Lost Groom: Bachelor Billionaire Romance (A Park City Firefighter Companion) by Taylor Hart
Sweet Water: Destination Billionaire Romance by Laurie Lewis
An Informal Christmas  by Heather Gray
An Informal Arrangement  by Heather Gray
An Informal Introduction  by Heather Gray
Statistically Improbable  by Jennifer Peel

*Most of these books were part of Rereading Madness

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

What makes a Democratic Classroom?

Hey world! I've been in a democratic classroom for the past semester. It has been a fun adventure and really beneficial for me as a (future) teacher.

What is a democratic classroom?

Basically, it goes off of the idea that individuals are given human rights and that these human rights are respected by all and protected by the government (and by teachers). These rights are

• Freedom - Students are able to be themselves and have the right to express themselves through their behavior and opinions.
• Educators have a responsibility to protect and respect students’ individuality and acknowledge their right to make choices for themselves.
• Justice - Students have a right to school rules and consequences that are fair to everyone. Students accused of misbehavior have the right to tell their side of the story.
• For educators to listen to students in matters of concern and consider their views, demonstrates a sincere respect for as student’s sense of worth.
• Equality - Equal educational opportunity for each student, meeting individual needs of every student in order to give each a chance to succeed in school.
• Equality does not mean treating every student the same. Equality means  educators will respond to students' individual needs so each will have an opportunity to succeed. It is more of an equity view than equality.

We want to teach students how to function in the “real” world as a citizen. Sure, our government isn’t exactly a democracy, but democratic principles are helpful in creating good, participatory citizens. Using the democratic classroom model and associated principles can help us to teach our students by precept and by example. By involving our students in this way we can help them to truly learn.

*If you want to learn more about a democratic classroom, here is a great place to start! 

Soo……..what exactly does a democratic classroom look like?

This requires a lot of thinking “outside the box”. My main purpose of this post is to share principles and a variety of ways to implement them. Circumstances may not allow for the “ideal” democratic classroom. What a democratic classroom looks like can vary from teacher to teacher and even from class to class.

Each teacher is an individual. They bring different strengths and weaknesses to the table. I have seen this in the school I have been doing my practicum in. Each of the teachers have their own strengths and instead of trying to be something they are not, they capitalize on their strengths.

Just like there is no one good way to be a good parent, there is not just one good way to be a good teacher. Be the teacher your students need. Teenagers can be perceptive. They know when you are interested and feed off of your energy. Be true to you - authenticity goes even further with students than all the smoke and mirrors in the world.

Some ideas:

• Allow students to help set up the classroom - helps them to have a voice in decisions about their learning and how the classroom could be set-up to support their learning. The degree of this will vary depending on how many classes you have, the resources available and so on, but
• Hold Class Meetings
• A place for students and teacher to discuss, plan, and organize. Also gives students valuable experience with the structure of meetings in the "real" world. For more information, go here.

• Consider flexible seating - Empower students with choice. Students are able to choose what is best for them. They are able to work better individually and in groups. This is such a cool concept. Here are some examples:
• A teacher created “The Learning Lounge” and explained that this setup gives student more freedom of choice, provided a more home-like atmosphere in which they felt comfortable to relax. The relaxed atmosphere produced more conversation which in turn produced additional learning at a deeper level. She also said: “The space has promoted the students in being responsible for their own learning. Ultimately, they play a major role in their own learning process and are able to self monitor their progression.” That's precisely what we want! But does it work with your teaching style and personality?
• A Flexible-Seating Paradise - I love how she used lighting in her classroom!
• The Funky Science Lab - This was my first exposure to flexible seating! I love how she adapted her classroom to the needs of her students.
• Flexible Seating - This is a great video for the basics of Flexible Seating!
• Consider circular seating - It is easy for students to hide behind others in rows. By arranging the classroom into a circle/half circle, students can see each other, make eye contact and no one person is singled out.

*Teachers need to be able to navigate and move quickly within their classroom. Keep desks/seats close together to allow for conversation and easy maneuvering. - http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr330.shtml

Classrooms are meant to support learning - is your classroom hindering the learning of your students? Think about it! And watch this video: Reimagining Classrooms: Teachers as Learners and Students as Leaders

Not every method will work for every classroom and situation - that's why there are options. Trust your instincts as a teacher and be true to you and your students!!

Rereading Madness!

I've been wanting to reread a bunch of books. I've also been wanting to review and talk about some of my favorite books. So when Kathy Jo from KJ's Book Nook announced Rereading Madness, I thought it sounded like the perfect opportunity for me! She nailed a catchy name and with March Madness going on for basketball, Rereading Madness is a perfect fit for me!

So far, I've caught up with the Jonquil Brothers, filling out the list with Sarah M. Eden's latest release, A Fine Gentleman. If you haven't read anything by her, particularly the Jonquil Brothers, DO IT, DO IT NOW!! Same with Melanie Jacobson! Her books are so fun, witty, and sweet!

Here's my list:

1. Always Will by Melanie Jacobson ✓
2. Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden ✓
3. Friends and Foes by Sarah M. Eden ✓
4. Drops of Gold  by Sarah M. Eden ✓
5. As You Are by Sarah M. Eden ✓
6. Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology
7. Kisses Between the Lines: An Echo Ridge Anthology (to gear up for the Silver Screen Anthology)
8. Painted Kisses 
9. Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore ✓
10. Lady Emma's Campaign by Jennifer Moore ✓
11. Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore ✓
12. Love's Broken Road by Julie Coulter Bellon
13. Alvor by Laura Bingham
14. Wings of Light by Laura Bingham
15. Dipped in Dark by Laura Bingham
16. A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush by Janette Rallison
17. The Most Important Catch by Jaclyn Hawkes
18. My Double Life by Janette Rallison
19. Fircrest Series by Shannon Guymon*

• Love and Dessert Trilogy 
• You Belong with Me ✓
• I Belong with You ✓
• My Sweetheart ✓
• Love and Trust
• Come to Me ✓
• Be Mine ✓
• Tough Love ✓
• Love and Flowers
• Falling for Rayne  ✓
• Dreaming of Ivy ✓
• A Passion for Cleo ✓
• Love and Weddings 
• My One and Only ✓
• Free Fallin  ✓
• At Last ✓

*Like Kathy, I LOVE Shannon Guymon's books, particularly her Fircrest Series. I get drawn into the town and the wonderful characters! I love how she takes the side characters and develops them, then we get to hear their story in the next books! And Shannon - I'm still waiting for that story that wraps it all up - I want to hear about Kam!!!

If you want to join in on the rereading madness, grab the picture, make your list, and then share your post here - I want to see what you're reading!