Step into the world of 5-year-old Lupita as she shares a treasured family tradition inAbuelita ¿Qué Vamos A Hacer Hoy? Let’s Make Rosca de Reyes! Written by Millie Flores and beautifully illustrated by Claudia Guzes, this bilingual book brings to life the excitement of preparing for Día de los Reyes in rural Mexico. Lupita and her Abuelita are ready to bake the Rosca de Reyes, and they invite you to join in the fun!
In this delightful story, you’ll find:
Heartwarming family moments: Experience the joy of baking and celebrating with loved ones as Lupita learns from her Abuelita.
Bilingual storytelling: English narration is enriched with select Spanish phrases, offering readers a culturally immersive experience. For a full immersion, check out the Spanish edition!
Vibrant illustrations: Each page is filled with colorful, engaging artwork that captures the warmth and tradition of Mexican family life.
Perfect for families and young readers, Abuelita ¿Qué Vamos A Hacer Hoy? is a wonderful way to introduce children to cultural traditions and a new language. Download this book today, and get ready to celebrate alongside Lupita and her Abuelita!
If you find yourself far from the comfort zones of ex-pat communities and need to stock up on essentials, A Woman’s Survival Guide to Shopping in Rural Mexico is here to help! This handy guide is your go-to resource for navigating the unique shopping experiences that rural Mexico has to offer. From markets filled with fresh produce to the surprising world of livestock trading, this book empowers you to shop like a local with confidence and ease.
Inside, you’ll discover:
Tips on where to find essentials: From groceries to household items, learn the best local spots to pick up what you need.
Navigating traditional markets: Get insider advice on how to approach open-air mercados, find the freshest foods, and even bargain like a pro.
Specialized shopping tips: Thinking about livestock? Ready to try new ingredients? This guide covers everything you need to know for a successful rural shopping adventure.
So grab your bag, say ¡Vamos de compra! and download A Woman’s Survival Guide to Shopping in Rural Mexico today. With this book in hand, you’ll be prepared for any shopping scenario, making your time in rural Mexico smoother and more enjoyable. Happy exploring!
Attention, book lovers! Starting TODAY, you have the chance to grab some incredible books by none other than yours truly, C.E. Flores/Millie Flores—completely free! For the next few days, a selection of my books will be available to download, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s How to Get Your Free Books:
Check Daily: Each day, new links to free book downloads on Amazon will be shared. Be sure to bookmark this page, set reminders, and check back frequently so you don’t miss out.
Quick and Easy Download: Each title is free on Amazon for a limited time, so grab them while you can! Downloading only takes a few seconds, giving you instant access to start reading.
Spread the Word: Share the excitement! Tell your friends, family, or social media followers so they can join in and snag these free reads, too. Happy reading!
FREE Book for Today: Playing Tourist in Mexico: A Collection of Adventures from Women Traveling in Mexico
Ever wanted to experience the real Mexico? Playing Tourist in Mexico: A Collection of Adventures from Women Traveling in Mexicoinvites you to join seven adventurous women as they journey through 45 unique destinations across this beautiful country. From bustling Mexico City to the peaceful beaches of Baja California, and from historic Dolores Hidalgo to the guitar-making town of Paracho de Verduzco in Michoacán, this book captures the rich diversity and hidden gems of Mexico.
Inside, you’ll discover:
Inspiring stories from each woman’s journey: Get a glimpse into the heart of Mexico, from popular tourist spots to lesser-known locations.
Cultural insights and local flavors: Feel the vibrancy of Mexico through vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, and tastes that make each place unique.
Personal reflections and memorable moments: These travelers share the beauty, surprises, and challenges they encountered along the way.
If you’re dreaming of visiting Mexico or simply curious to see the country through a fresh lens, download Playing Tourist in Mexico today. Embark on this journey of exploration, where every page is a new adventure waiting to be discovered.
Lost & Found: Book 1 of the E Apocrypha by Alex Andre is a dystopian adventure set in a future where technology has been obliterated by a fanatical movement known as E Apocrypha. This apocalyptic reset has left society scrambling to survive amid the ruins. With an intriguing cast of characters, each grappling with their role in this fractured world, Andre crafts a compelling tale of survival, resistance, and ambition.
The novel centers around Yun-mi, a determined young “Rat” — a scavenger who has spent two years honing her skills in the hope of becoming one of the finest scavengers in her city. When her mentor is murdered, Yun-mi finds herself on the verge of being sold to slavers, and her dream is shattered. Yet she’s fierce and resilient, refusing to give up. With both wit and grit, Yun-mi embarks on a journey that not only puts her survival skills to the test but also awakens a fierce desire for revenge within her.
Supporting Yun-mi is a diverse ensemble of characters, each with unique motivations and backgrounds. Buck, who possesses precognitive abilities and a mechanical intuition, grew up sheltered in a religious enclave, wrestling with an inherited sense of fear and obligation. Rajan, a slave bound to haul train cars under backbreaking conditions, yearns for purpose, dreaming of a life beyond servitude. Ka Ya and Wai Lam, revered as “golden dragons,” aim to restore the integration of machines into society, symbolizing the remaining hope for technological rebirth. Meanwhile, Janet, a scholarly character, searches for a hidden cache of knowledge that could change the fate of their world. Andre gives each character a distinctive voice and perspective, making it easy to follow their individual storylines.
Andre’s world-building is immersive and richly textured, painting a bleak picture of a civilization fallen into ruin. The remains of ancient cities teem with “Rats” scavenging for remnants of technology to trade, offering a thought-provoking look at what society could devolve into if technology vanished overnight. The vivid, often chilling descriptions of this post-apocalyptic landscape remind readers of our deep dependence on technology and pose unsettling questions about how humanity might respond if that lifeline were severed.
The pacing is swift, with each chapter propelling the story forward, though the multiplicity of characters and factions occasionally makes the plot challenging to follow. The motives of certain groups are not always entirely clear, but this mystery adds to the intrigue, making the reader wonder who they can trust as the power dynamics shift. The intertwined plotlines and character arcs ultimately come together, revealing a deeper connection among the protagonists and creating anticipation for future installments in the series.
Despite some narrative complexity, Lost & Found is a gripping and thought-provoking adventure that will captivate fans of dystopian fiction.
EEEK! Where did October go? I have nothing new written! Well, I did add some chapters to the draft of book 2 in La Yacata Revolution (and help our community get electricity), but I don’t expect to publish that book anytime soon. There are still so many projects to complete.
And I actually don’t expect to be overly productive in November or December (NaNoWriMo or not). But having said that, maybe I’ll surprise myself and finish the year out with a bang! (probably not).
On the writing front, I’ve been playing with the idea of making a compilation of the Woman’s Survival Guide series but haven’t started that either. I feel like I need just one more book in the series (a book geared towards preparations BEFORE the move to Mexico) before I can make a nice series. We’ll see what I can accomplish this month.
Well, I didn’t get any work done on pending WIPs, but I did publish the entire series of Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico in hardback. That required WAY more work than I expected, and the books cost WAY more than most people would be willing to buy, but it’s done. Perhaps seeing the price difference between paperback and hardback will make potential readers feel like they are getting a steal with the paperback version. Perhaps not.
I also noticed that the covers look skewed on the detail page, but they look fine when you get the book, so I don’t know what’s up with that.
This month, I may have some free time as I left one of my jobs at the end of September. If I can get myself organized, I might have more time to write. I say might because I’m the cog in the wheel moving our little community towards electricity installation, and it requires WAY more time than I would like.
As it is, the Mexican dicho “hay más vida que tiempo” (there’s more life than time) is pointedly true in my world right now. There are exciting possibilities on the horizon which will require prioritization to accomplish.
I would like to work on some of the Lupita series books this month. They sell well, and my illustrator said she has more time to devote to them. I’ve almost made back what I invested in illustrations for them last year. Then again, I may want to do more herb research in my precious free time. Decisions, decisions!
Climate change is undeniably reshaping our lives, and the task of combating it can feel insurmountable. Philip Kent-Hughes’ Creating a Better Climate Future provides a compelling starting point for those willing to make the effort. This book will ignite in you the goal of establishing a personal anti-climate change movement and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
The book is divided into four parts. It begins with an overview of how we can solve the climate crisis, then moves through setting up your plan, implementing it, and then reviewing and updating the plan. Generally, the book seems geared toward the average citizen living in a first-world country.
The chapters, full of engaging graphs, cover the obstacles to climate change in the food, transportation, energy, production, and consumption sectors. The author’s personal resolutions and their outcomes in several chapters demonstrate his commitment. Statistics, percentages, and other scientific information are backed up with a properly cited appendix, ensuring readers know that the author is well-informed.
While this book serves as an introduction to the concept of becoming a climate hero, it also acts as a stepping stone. The author provides additional resources on his website and gives copious other non-profit and government sites that can help you find your sustainable purpose, encouraging readers to take the next steps in their journey.
Unfortunately, it seemed that most of the detailed rationale for addressing climate change now was hidden away in the appendix. Perhaps the author wanted the reader to develop their own action plan rather than draw from the more defined ‘shoulds’ found in the appendix. I would have liked to see that appendix information interspersed throughout the book as each topic was addressed rather than lost at the end.
As I mentioned, this book is only the beginning of developing a plan. As a case in point, the author discusses the pros and cons of renewable energy at the residential level, even sharing some of his own experiences. However, converting a home to solar is a significant undertaking that should involve the support of energy specialists. Having done this myself, I would know!
Creating a Better Climate Future by Philip Kent-Hughes is an inspiring and practical guide for anyone looking to make a difference in the fight against climate change. By providing a clear roadmap for developing and implementing a sustainable lifestyle, the book empowers readers to take meaningful action. The resources and personal insights contained in this book make it a valuable starting point for the average individual on their way to becoming a climate hero by taking steps to protect our planet for future generations.
I received an ARC from Reedsy Discovery for this review. You can find my full review HERE.
What ancient secrets do the plants of Mexico hold?
Unlock the mysteries with Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico Special Edition. This captivating five-volume collection offers an immersive journey into the world of 140 medicinal plants 🌱, each study meticulously researched and accompanied by beautiful full-color photographs 📸. Discover the deep-rooted cultural traditions that have harnessed the healing power of these plants for generations 🌵. Whether you’re a curious herbalist, a nature lover 🌿, or a cultural enthusiast 🌎, this series will inspire and enlighten you, revealing the profound connection between the land, its people, and the plants that sustain them 🌼. Embark on a journey where history, healing, and nature converge in the vibrant tapestry of Mexico.
So, looking ahead to September, I plan on revising the paperback and epub versions of Volumes 1-5 in this series and publishing hardback versions as well. After that, I hope to work on that gardening book I’ve been meaning to pull together. Herbs! Herbs! Herbs!
Carter’s collection includes retellings of well-known stories such as Goldilocks, Chicken Little, The Three Little Pigs, There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, The Little Red Hen, Rapunzel, Snow White, The Gingerbread Man, Jack and the Beanstalk, Tom the Piper’s Son, and Jack and Jill. Despite the potential for clever reinterpretation, I found that the humor often missed the mark. Unlike Scieszka’s tales, which had me laughing out loud, Carter’s versions elicited little more than a few mild chuckles.
The modern twists on these classics, intended to be more politically correct and relevant to contemporary readers, instead highlighted how some of these stories have not aged well. For instance, the old woman who lived in a shoe is depicted in a way that would raise serious child welfare concerns today. Meanwhile, the little red hen drives off in a limousine, a twist that feels more jarring than amusing. Jack, a recurring character in several tales, consistently ends up in unfortunate situations, leaving a sense of bleakness rather than humor.
C.E. Flores 