Friday, November 24, 2023

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: A Penny Saved by Terri Gillespie & Cynthia L. Simmons

Book: A Penny Saved

Authors: Terri Gillespie & Cynthia L. Simmons

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy & Mystery

Release Date: May 27, 2023

A Move, A Mess, A Mystery

Mason’s world turns upside down when he, his little sister, Olivia, and their mother move into their grandfather’s house.

Mason misses his cool friends. Unfortunately, R.B., the weird kid down the street, thinks he’s Mason’s new best friend.

Mason’s grandfather, a retired professor, stays in his office filled with musty, dusty books. Never realizing there’s a magical treasure hidden in plain sight. An 1860 Indian Head penny, named Penny, who is alive!

When Penny goes missing, Mason helps his grandfather look for her.

Will Mason find Penny and learn her secret?

Click here to get your copy!

I enjoy a good Mystery book and have since I was in Middle School. I jumped at the chance to read A Penny Saved by Terri Gillespie & Cynthia L. Simmons. It is a book aimed at Middle School students.

Mason is going through a lot right now, he really misses his friends. He, his mother and little sister, Olivia recently moved into his Grandfather's house. The "weird kid" from down the street, R.B., wants to hang out with Mason all the time. Mason's Grandfather, who is a retired professor, tends to hang out in his office with all this old and dusty books. He recently discovered an 1860 Indian Head penny in his office. Penny is alive and when she goes missing Mason is determined to help his Grandpa find Penny. Will Penny be found and does Penny have any secrets to reveal?

WOW, such a unique and interesting book. I really felt the storyline was a "true to life" type of story. Mason moving from one state to another and having to make new friends, yet missing his old friends. Penny going missing creates the Mystery of where is Penny and Mason determined to find her. The book is filed with Mystery and also a nice History lesson. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a short Mystery and History! GREAT BOOK!

Terri Gillespie is a multi-award award-winning author and speaker and YouTube personality. Terri lives with her hubby outside Atlanta. They have one adult daughter, who lives in Chicago with her husband and son. Terri was one of the managing editors of the bestselling Tree of Life Version of the Holy Scriptures.

More from Terri

My grandson, DJ, loves to read, but there is a lack of inspirational and clean books with Black protagonists. DJ loves fantasy and mysteries, and as his safta (grandmother), I wanted a book that gives even more, a sense of legacy with a theme of looking past the exterior to the value underneath.

When the strange, awkward R.B. offers to pray for Mason’s grandfather and then brings over his granny’s tuna casserole, Mason is touched and wonders if he has misjudged R.B.

After tasting this recipe, would you change your mind?

Widow Savier’s (R.B.’s granny) Tuna Casserole

2 (5 oz.) cans chunky-type tuna in water (drain well)

1 cup frozen peas

1⁄2 cup milk

3⁄4 cup butter-Ritz-like crackers, crushed or crushed potato chips (R.B. prefers the chips)

4 oz. (about 2-1⁄2 cups) thick egg noodles

1 can (10.75 oz.) cream of mushroom soup

1⁄4 tsp. garlic powder

Bit of butter (it is the south after all)

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Cook noodles according to package instructions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking; drain in strainer.
While noodles are cooking, in a separate bowl, mix together soup, milk and garlic powder.
Stir in the noodles and peas, then add the tuna.
Transfer to a 1-1⁄2 quart lightly buttered casserole.
Bake 15 minutes; top with cracker crumbs OR CHIPS. Continue baking 5 – 10 minutes or until heated through.

Serves 4, so Widow Savier doubles the recipe for Mason’s family so they have leftovers.