Did you miss me? I missed you, but I loved my break and how it re-energized me. I hiked, even in the rain! I ate extra cake because it was my birthday–I decided to have a birthday month instead of only one day. More cake that way! I learned how to be an administrator for IWSG. Very interesting and fun to do. And I remembered some more stories I want to share with you.
And now I’m here with my Featured Follower for March, Bish Denham. Yay, Bish! Great to feature you and your books this month.
Bish Denham, whose mother’s side of the family has been in the Caribbean for over one hundred years, was raised in the U. S. Virgin Islands. She still has lots of family living there and visits them regularly.
She says, “Growing up in the islands was like living inside a history book. Columbus named them, Sir Francis Drake sailed through the area, and Alexander Hamilton was raised on St. Croix. Pirates plied the waters and hundred of years of slavery left its indelible mark. It was within this atmosphere of magic and wonder that I grew up. My hope is pass some of that magic and wonder on to my readers.”
Amazon |
Amazon |
Amazon |
A Lizard’s Tale: From the moment he hatches, Marvin P. Tinkleberry knows he is destined for greatness. For one, he has a marvelous, well-groomed tail. For another he can puff out his throat pouch in the most spectacular way. Pirates. Explorers. And spooky ghost hunters. REVIEW
The Bowl and the Stone: It’s 1962. Sam and her best friend, Nick, have the whole island of St. John, in the U. S. Virgin Islands, as their playground. They’ve got 240 year-old sugar plantation ruins to explore, beaches to swim, and trails to hike. REVIEW
Anansi and Company: How do you escape a hungry tiger? Why do ram-goats smell? What happens if you get too greedy? In this collection of ten retold Jamaican stories, Anansi the spider tricks, sings, and dances his way into and out of trouble. REVIEW
GIVEAWAY: Bish is generously giving one of her books away (digital format). To request your copy of a book of your choice, just leave a request in the comment and a way we can contact you.
Quote of the Week: “The wonder of imagination is this: It has the power to light its own fire.” John L. Mason, author
Next Week: Let Me Tell You a Story returns with Oh Shoot! It’s the Tunnel Chute.
DEZMOND says
oh, my, to grow up or live on the Caribbeans!
Heather R. Holden says
A birthday month sounds fun. Glad you enjoyed your break!
Kate Larkindale says
Happy Birthday, Lee! A birthday month is a necessity! Mine is May… And hello, Bish!
Michelle Wallace says
Yes, I missed you. Welcome back.
Hope you had a blast for your birthday, Lee!
Congrats to Bish! Her stories are definitely magical
I enjoyed Anansi and Company… and would LOVE to read A Lizard's Tale!
Empty Nest Insider says
I always knew you were smart, and anyone who has a "Birthday Month" is an absolute genius in my book! Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Lee! Congrats to Bish!
Julie
Cathrina Constantine says
Oh, and Happy Birthday. A birthday month is much better than one day.
Cathrina Constantine says
Of course we missed you!!!!!
Love that quote!!!
Tamara Narayan says
I loved The Bowl and the Stone.
Sherry Ellis says
So glad you enjoyed your birthday month! Extra cake is good! Bish's stories are good. I haven't read Lizard's Tale. I'd like to read that one. So nice to see Bish featured here!
DMS says
I always find Bish's stories about growing up to be so interesting. Love her books too! I have all of these, so I won't enter. But, I am happy to see Bish being featured here and wish her all the best!
~Jess
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's a great setting to draw on.
Julie Flanders says
I missed you! Glad you're back and how great that you had such a wonderful birthday month. That should be a new tradition. Why limit to one day?
Congrats to Bish!! She has so many interesting stories!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I just can't do all the things I want in one day. Glad to be back, though.
sage says
Welcome back and happy belated birthday!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Sage!
Shooting Stars Mag says
Love the gif, and it's nice to see you back! I'm glad you had a nice vacation though. It's good to get away. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Vacations are essential.
Kelly Polark says
Happy belated birthday, Lee! I love Bish's work! I've read 2/3 of her books!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for stopping by, Kelly!
Mark Noce says
Lol, I like the Sherlock reference;)
Donna K. Weaver says
Bish is awesome. And it doesn't hurt that she lives in an exotic place. 😀
C. Lee McKenzie says
Exotic places are veritable feasts for the imagination.
Carol Kilgore says
So glad you enjoyed your break. Mine have always been totally rejuvenating. Happy to see Bish here. I've read her books, so not signing up 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
There's something wonderful about vacations.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – for some reason Feedly had dropped you – you are now re-instated! So glad you had a happy time off … but can understand your husband saying enough is enough! Good to know you hiked and enjoyed the uplifting and life giving rain …
Bish's books sound like so much fun … and yes those covers are just brilliantly illustrated aren't they … cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
I've been erratic in my visits everywhere. Glad Feedly reinstated me.
D Biswas says
Lovely to have you back, Lee. I do lurk around Bish's blog, and love it!
Damyanti
C. Lee McKenzie says
Lurking is so much fun. I'm sure she loves that you do.
Misha Gericke says
Welcome back!
Nice to see Bish here. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Misha.
emaginette says
Welcome back, Lee. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for the visit! Great to see you here.
Lexa Cain says
I've always wanted a birthday month instead of a day. And definitely more cake. Bish's covers are all so cute and vibrant. I think they suit the stories and location very well. Have a great week!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Her book designer is superb!
Birgit says
I love it that you celebrate the whole month and that's how it should be. Congrats to Bish and her books being showcased here. I grew up in the wonders called Wainfleet…yup not much to do and no real history. The Virgin Islands is actually quite cool to be related to.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Brigit. I have no idea where Wainfleet is, but is sounds quite interesting. I'll look it up.
Liz A. says
Birthday months seem to have become a thing. At least, there's a guy on the radio around here who does it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Wow! Does this mean I'm in with the popular people? That's a a first for me. I was always the one going a different direction. Yay for maturity.
J.H. Moncrieff says
Happy birthday, Lee! I definitely missed you, but your cake fest sounds wonderful.
Bish has certainly had an interesting upbringing. I would have loved to grow up on a tropical island!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, J.H. Appreciate that. Like you I would love that tropical isle childhood.
Kelly Hashway/Ashelyn Drake says
Welcome back!
I love stories about Anansi!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Kelly. Great to be back.
Heather M. Gardner says
Congrats!
—
You are one busy woman, C.Lee!
Link works perfectly!
Heather
Co-Host, 2017 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love it when I get that html right!
Yolanda Renée says
Great quote. Imagination has saved my life on more than one occasion!
Congratulations to Bish! Great books, all!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You have a wonderful imagination, Yolanda.
Jemi Fraser says
Love that quote!
Yay for Bish! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Quotes are always appreciated here. I want to make some of my own one of these days.
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Congratulations, Bish. Your magical stories look awesome. Happy late birthday, c lee. A whole month. Mmm, I need to try that. Have a great week.
C. Lee McKenzie says
We all deserve our time to relish what we have. Hope you take some for yourself. Don't forget the cake and the candles.
Chrys Fey says
Yay Bish! Her stories are magical. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks Chrys.
Nick Wilford says
Happy Birthday! Is it still on? Glad you had a refreshing break. Nice to see Bish here and her books do sound magical.
C. Lee McKenzie says
According to my husband, no. Enough is enough, he says.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
Glad you had a good break and returned energized. Bish grew up in a wonderful place.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Appreciate that, Susan. I agree about Bish's lovely island.
Tyrean Martinson says
Love that quote at the end about imagination. 🙂
Welcome back – I'm excited to hear more of your stories.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Tyrean. Glad to be back, too.
Sarah Foster says
Welcome back! Everyone should get a whole birthday month with extra cake, right?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Absolutely!
Elephant's Child says
Welcome back. Thank you for featuring Bish. Each time I come across reviews of her work I am intrigued. I would love one of her books. Any one of her books.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're down on the list. Thanks so much.
Jacqui Murray says
Excellent book, Bish. I feel like I've traveled to the Caribbean.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can feel the sea breeze now!
Pat Hatt says
Congrats on the feature, Bish. That is one family tree indeed.
Welcome back too at your zoo!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Love the animals in my zoo. How about you?
Libby Heily Author says
Congrats to Bish! I'll sign up for a free book. I'll let Bish decide which one. I love spec fic and fun!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're on, Libby!
Carrie-Anne says
Having a birthday month instead of a single day doesn't seem like such a bad thing. Taking time away is a great way to refresh and re-energize.
That's awesome that one branch of Bish's family tree has been in the Caribbean for over 100 years. Deep family roots are really special.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Not a bad idea at all. I may have to expand the celebration to be even longer.
A long family history anywhere is special.
Cherie Reich says
I like the idea of a birthday month. 🙂
Congrats to Bish!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Me, too!
Shady Del Knight says
Hi, Cheryl!
You are on the right track celebrating your birthday for an entire month, but why stop there? As Rare Earth reminded us, there is reason to celebrate all year 'round:
I just want to celebrate another day of living.
I just want to celebrate another day of life.
I can relate to your guest author Bish because Mrs. Shady and I vacationed in St. Croix in 1990 and fell in love with the island. I remember visiting Alexander Hamilton's old stomping grounds throughout Christiansted including the National Historic Site, Estate Grange (Hamilton's boyhood home) and the majestic Fort Christiansvaern.
Thanks, dear friend C-Lee!
C. Lee McKenzie says
You must have had a great visit. It sounds like it. And you're right about celebrating each day. They are precious, indeed.
LM Preston says
Glad you are back on the blog game! I enjoyed your book shares. My middle school aged boy enjoys finding new things to read.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi LM! So great to see you here.
Barbara Fisher says
I’m so pleased you had a good birthday month (and lots of cake), but it's lovely to have you back! Bish featured on my blog some time ago, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Congratulations Bish.
C. Lee McKenzie says
She's a wonderful person, and I love the stories she shares.
L. Diane Wolfe says
Extra birthday cake is always good.
I love Bish's books. They are such charming stories.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I figure a month of cake is my prerogative now.
Bish Denham says
Glad you're back, Lee, and that you're regenerated. Thanks for featuring me!
cleemckenzie says
Hi Bish. Happy March. Great to have you here.
Mason Canyon says
Happy belated birthday, Lee. I love the idea of a birthday month instead of one day.
Congrats to Bish. It's easy to see why she enjoys the magical and wonder. Great book covers.
cleemckenzie says
Her covers are really beautiful and they capture the feeling of island colors, don't they?
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
A birthday month is the way to go!
Wow, Bish, 100 years of roots.
cleemckenzie says
And what a beautiful place to have roots!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Bish rocks! Her stories are very imaginative.
Welcome back. Glad you are settling in with your duties. Certainly rocking the guests right now.
cleemckenzie says
Bish has been a blogging buddy for many years. So glad she's writing up a storm.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Welcome back, Lee! What a great idea to take our birthday months off from blogging! It's great to learn about Bish's work.
cleemckenzie says
Hi Yvonne. You're the first one here today.