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Book Review

Reviews are worth their weight in gold because good ones are hard to come by so this one definitely put a smile on my face.

A Dad’s Perspective

October 29, 2025

Reading The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie with my kids was one of those experiences that reminded me why storytelling still matters. Every night, we’d get a few pages in, and they’d lean closer—not because the story was loud or flashy, but because it felt alive. The author’s words paint a world full of color and curiosity, where bravery isn’t about fighting dragons but about facing something new with heart.

The story opens with a dedication that perfectly captures its spirit: “May you never lose your sense of fantasy because it is what dreams are made of.” That single line sets the tone for everything that follows. This book isn’t just about adventure; it’s about protecting that childlike wonder we sometimes forget to nurture. You can tell it was written by a parent who understands how powerful imagination can be.

Honey, the miniature greyhound, and Hubie, the loyal green frog, are a pair that children instantly connect with. Their journey takes them beyond the safety of the garden into meadows, forests, and encounters with fairies, frogs, Moppets, and even a skunk named Twister. Through every challenge, Honey discovers courage, kindness, and the kind of quiet strength that resonates deeply with young readers.

The pacing is steady and thoughtful, which makes it perfect for reading aloud. There’s action and excitement, but also calm moments where kids can picture what’s happening or ask questions. My oldest, who’s just starting to read independently, kept stopping to guess what might happen next. That kind of engagement doesn’t come from noise—it comes from good storytelling.
What stands out most to me as a father is that the book never talks down to kids. It gives them credit for being thoughtful and imaginative. When Honey crosses the pond despite her fear or stands up for a friend, those moments land quietly but meaningfully. The message of courage and friendship isn’t forced—it’s felt.

The story has its quirks, and that’s part of its charm. It feels handcrafted, not polished by committee, and that’s a compliment. You can sense the author’s sincerity in every line. That kind of authenticity is rare—and children, in their own way, can tell when a story is written with love.

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is the kind of book that lingers after the last page. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a gentle nudge to both kids and parents to hold on to imagination a little longer.

A timeless, heartfelt story that celebrates courage, curiosity, and the quiet magic of growing up.

Thank you Ron

My All Time Favorite Subject

It was hands down English. I saw “magic” in this subject because I was able to paint pictures with my words. Even at a young age, I became fascinated with it and did everything possible to be the best where English was concerned. It involved spending hours and hours of learning the vocabulary, learning to spell words correctly and to excel in writing. The time spent paid off. I became teacher’s pet and she always called on me when something needed to be explained and or made clear to the classroom. I was proud as a peacock as I walked to the front of the room and proceeded to lay it on thick! I could see her watching me with a beautiful smile plastered on her face and not only that, she was beautiful to boot. I still remember her today and the push or was it a shove that she gave me made me excel in this subject.

Math could have been another favorite subject but I had a teacher who made it hell for me. Unlike the English teacher, he had it in for me! I learned to hate Math and didn’t spend much time with Algebra, Geometry or whatever else he had to throw at me. Instead, I learned to cheat. I would get to class early, head to the best-looking boy in class who was also very smart and asked if I could copy his homework. He gave it to me and since I was short on time, I copied the answers but not the workings! Sure enough, the “devil” decided to call me up front and demanded to know how I came up with the right answers with what I had on the page. BOOM! I was caught. So he said, “Tia, I wish you were as good at Math as you are in English. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The next time I catch you cheating, I’m going to put you in that hole in the ceiling!” I looked up and sure enough, there was a big gaping hole in the ceiling and it put the fear of the devil in me!

To make a long story short, teachers hold the power in their hands to push students forward or to hold them back. Even so far as to make you hate certain subjects. I never came out of the “hate” for Math phase but I have a continuing love affair with English and each time I achieve something good, I remember that teacher who gave me the gentle nudge to do better and I did.

Daily writing prompt

What was your favorite subject in school?

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Book Review

A Teacher’s Perspective

As a teacher who reads to his class, I’m always looking for stories that capture attention, hold imagination, and open the door to meaningful discussion. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie did all three. The dedication alone – “May you never lose your sense of fantasy because it is what dreams are made of” – sets the stage for what this book does best: keeping that spark of imagination alive.

My students were immediately drawn to Honey, the miniature greyhound, and her unlikely friend Hubie, the bold green frog. Together they explore a world that’s whimsical but surprisingly relatable. The fairies, Moppets, and talking woodland creatures kept the class giggling, but what stayed with them was Honey’s courage – especially when she faced her fears to cross the pond or help another creature in need.

From an educator’s perspective, the pacing and structure work beautifully for group reading. There are natural pause points, making it easy to discuss what’s happening and predict what might come next. The descriptive writing creates clear visual imagery – something that helps young readers connect words to imagination. I even had a few students draw their favorite scenes, and every one of them was different. That’s the mark of a story that lets kids think for themselves.

What I appreciate most is that this book doesn’t preach. The themes of bravery, empathy, and friendship emerge naturally through Honey’s journey. The story invites reflection without spelling out a lesson, which makes it a wonderful tool for teaching emotional intelligence and creative thinking.

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie feels like a classic in the making – a story that could easily become part of a yearly classroom rotation. It’s warm, heartfelt, and sincere, reminding children that courage isn’t loud or perfect; sometimes it’s just taking that next small step into the unknown.

I honestly didn’t put that much thought into the story when I wrote it but looking at this, it blew my mind!

Thank you.

Three Wishes

I’ve been waiting for some frog to come by and give me exactly this! Three wishes that could come true at a hop, skip and a jump or with a kiss. Either way, this kind of thing only happens in fairytales but since DP decided to give us a go with a genie, I’ll take the opportunity. Thank you DP but I’m lost for words and can’t think of anything!

Well, as always, let me give it a try. I think at the top of my list would be health. We take it for granted until it turns around and decides to bite us in the you know where and then we sit up and pay attention. Earlier this year, I had a monumental scare. After many tests and a monster of a machine later, I can say I am fine for the time being. So my first wish would be, “Give me good health.”

Second on the list, “love” to complete the picture. My life, on the whole, is almost perfect. I have lots of free time to do whatever I feel like doing and worries are of my own making. One thing that is missing is the special guy, not the dime a dozen variety but that one out of the ordinary person who almost fits me perfectly. I say “almost” because I know he’ll come with flaws and so will I but if there is a 70% fit, I’ll take him. The rest we can work out later. So far, the dime a dozen variety is plenty but that one elusive person is still out there somewhere. My second wish, “Please show him the way before I give up hope altogether!”

The third wish? This is a hard one. I’ll go with, “Let’s give fascism a boot out the door and never to return again!” The mother of all ills? I think so. Let’s make this world a kinder and gentler place for everyone and not just a select few.

Did I just blow my wishes away? Oh well, DP you tried, but I have a mind of my own and add being stubborn as a mule to it and you’ve got, “Wishes don’t stand a chance,” genie or not!

Daily writing prompt

You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

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A Nice Book Review

The pic is my own.

By: Ultimate World’s Review

Book Review: The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a delightful and heartwarming children’s story that celebrates the magic of friendship, curiosity, and imagination. T. J. Mueller crafts a whimsical tale that whisks young readers into a vibrant world full of colorful characters, exciting discoveries, and meaningful life lessons.

At its heart, the story follows Honey and Hubie, two lovable companions whose journey into the unknown becomes more than just an adventure—it’s a lesson in trust, teamwork, and the true meaning of friendship. As they face challenges and encounter new wonders, they learn that real friendship isn’t just about fun—it’s about loyalty, kindness, and understanding, even when things get tough.

Mueller’s writing strikes the perfect balance between imaginative storytelling and heartfelt wisdom. The tone is playful and engaging, keeping children captivated while subtly teaching them values that matter. The magical settings and charming characters create a sense of wonder, while the story’s deeper message helps children understand what it takes to nurture and protect the friendships that brighten their lives.

This book is ideal for young readers and parents alike, offering a story that entertains while inspiring thoughtful conversations about empathy, cooperation, and emotional growth.

Available on Amazon

Please rate and review and be kind!

Cute & Cuddly!

By now, you know who I’m talking about. If you don’t, he’s my best buddy and my little love. A furball of love and insurmountable cuteness! He is called Chachi, sometimes Einstein, and at other times Little Macho. A little British short-haired cat who thinks he knows everything and one who has lived some interesting lives.

He was a gift from the friend who passed away and believe it or not, they have the same colored eyes. Green and clear. His coat is speckled and he has the cutest little face. We have conversations together and he listens quietly and sometimes he lets out a meow as if to say, “Enough already!” He loves waking me up early in the mornings and I mean early! Scared to go downstairs by himself, he waits around until I go down the stairs and he follows. Lately, I think he is more of a scaredy cat than a macho.

He claims to have been in Cleopatra’s court and knows beauty rituals like you wouldn’t believe! He thinks I’m doing it all wrong like Cleopatra did. All the masks, the milk baths and so on are no help at all, he says. “Just be yourself!” is his mantra. He has something there but when has that ever stopped me?! I love beauty rituals and weekends are for relaxing and taking care of myself. He says that’s the path that led Cleopatra to being unlucky in love! Hmm….well, I’m no Cleopatra and when I ask him what he did there. His reply, he was a eunuch, not that his luck has changed much in this life either, he adds!

Chachi, the cat, is very much a part of the family and he knows it. He is loved, adored, and spoiled rotten, all part and parcel of loving someone or at least in my world it is. I can’t wait to find out what other lives he has led. It will be more than an eye-opener for sure.

Daily writing prompt

Describe a family member.

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Showing Up

Photo by Anastasiya Lobanovskaya on Pexels.com

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” Brene Brown

It is also the hardest thing to do. Pulling the covers over your head, staying in bed and letting the day carry on without you is the norm and putting all your attention on the one thing or couple of things that tell you, not showing up is the way to go. I think we’ve all had those days and for some, it is a daily existence and for others it is a short stop before we pick up and carry on. Whichever the case may be for you, staying put is not going to do it. It takes courage to move on.

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” Brene Brown

Your first step to showing up for yourself is to show up as you are, fears and all. “Showing up is the act of being present and vulnerable, and courage is the ability to do so despite being afraid.” I realized that I haven’t been showing up for myself these past two weeks. Fear has stepped in and peace of mind is nowhere to be seen. I seem to be wading through thick, gooey mud and each step is painstakingly slow if at all. I want the day to go away and staying under the covers is where I would like to spend my days. However, something stopped me in my tracks yesterday. Call it courage, call it intuition, or just my mind telling me to “BUCKLE UP!” and MOVE! It worked.

Today is another day and I am moving for all I’m worth. It’s not the physical kind of moving I’m talking about but the mental and emotional kind. Enough of the self-pity, the negative self talk, and the “I can’t do this” mentality. I know I can and I will!

“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up.” Unknown

It is exactly what I’m doing today. The stalker sent this message last night.

“Good evening Tia, do you know who I am?”

My answer today is, “I don’t give a flying flip!”

I’m on the move again and I intend to show up for myself with bells on! Taking your power back from whatever is holding you back is a necessary step, letting go of people who bring you down is important but more than that, knowing that you are fully capable of handling whatever comes your way is one big leap towards moving on with life.

“There will be moments in life when showing up for yourself will mean leaving behind those who don’t.” Alex Elle

Show up, take life by the horns, and move forward decisively. Exactly what I’m doing today. The sun is showing up after the storm last night and it seems to be a clear signal to get MOVING!

Have an amazing day.

Book Promo & Review

I loved this one!

Emilia Valentine

October 17, 2025

Every child dreams of a great adventure — a journey filled with wonder, friendship, and a touch of magic. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller captures exactly that spirit.

In this enchanting tale, young readers are invited to follow Honey and Hubie as they set out on a daring adventure into the unknown. Their path is filled with colorful characters, unexpected twists, and valuable lessons about what it really takes to hold onto friendship, even when things get tough.

Mueller masterfully blends whimsy and heart, creating a world of imagination that feels as vivid as a child’s daydream. Beneath the fun and fantasy lies a timeless message: friendship is one of life’s greatest adventures, and it takes courage, kindness, and understanding to keep it strong.

Perfect for readers aged 10–12, this book will capture the hearts of children who love magical stories and parents who appreciate tales with meaning and warmth.

About the Author

T. J. Mueller began writing at just fifteen years old, when her first short story made the cover of a well-known women’s magazine. Since then, she’s written countless short stories and articles, always returning to her first love: storytelling.

Her imagination continues to draw inspiration from the woods of her childhood, where her creativity was free to run wild. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is born from that same spark, a heartfelt journey into a world of make-believe where lessons of loyalty and friendship shine through.

Book Fiasco?

The book has been published and it is out there doing the rounds. According to one source it has been well-received. What does that mean? Then it is being said that there are discussions about it on social media. Hmm…what are they saying? The publisher is taking their time doing the marketing bit. Be patient, the book has only been out there for about two months is the message I’m getting. Strike while the iron is hot is my answer but I can’t do anything about it.

It seems to me that writing the book is not the hard part, getting it accepted is harder and after publication, well, I don’t even want to talk about that. I’ll just say I’m anxious and that is not a good feeling. Getting ratings and reviews is another story altogether! Now, I know why it’s important to give a rating for a product bought from Amazon. I never do, so I’ll change that and make it a point to give a review or rating the next time around. I can’t believe that someone from South Africa gave me a five-star rating! Who? Elon, is that you?

I found this review online and it sounds good.

Reviews for The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie on Amazon highlight the book’s focus on friendship, teamwork, and imagination, with one Amazon customer calling it a “gripping narrative that captures how adversity can bring friends together.” It is described as a “wild ride into a magical world” with colorful characters, which teaches young readers about the importance of friendship through an engaging story. The book’s themes are praised, and there are positive remarks about its illustrations and its ability to capture the imagination of children.

How is the book really doing? No idea whatsoever. Let me just say that if you’re looking to get a book published, be prepared. It is a journey and a rocky one at that! Here is a book trailer to whet your appetite, not a great one I might add but enough to find out what all the hype is about.

Lazy Days

Do lazy days make me feel rested or unproductive, that was the question. Let me see, I had a lazy day yesterday. I did nothing or next to nothing.

How did it make me feel? I can’t say for sure because I was happy when I started to take it easy and not do anything of importance or one that would require too much brain power. The output would be very little and I thought I would be feeling good by the end of the day. Guess again!

By the end of the day, I was feeling more frazzled and very anxious. It seems having nothing much to do makes me feel that way. Truth be told, it wasn’t just a day with nothing to do. I did my daily walk in nature and that was fantastic as usual. I walked home looking forward to another cup of coffee and than DOING NOTHING! “Not that quick” said life. The phone kept ringing, then I had mail that needed to be taken care of and a date if I wanted it. Got your attention? Yes, a date. It was the cheesecake guy. I hadn’t heard from him in ages and thought it was water under the bridge. To tell you the truth, I was glad that we didn’t have to do the relationship dance anymore. Chachi, the cat, was glad too. He never liked him. Anyway, he was on the other end saying he wanted to meet, just for coffee and a chat. I thought why not. I agreed to a date and time. Getting off the phone, I felt agitated. Dates make me feel that way!

I decided my mind needed something to keep it occupied. This “doing nothing” was getting on my nerves! I looked at my other projects, a sequel to “The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie.” It is finished and has been accepted but I thought it needed brushing up so I pulled out the manuscript and went to work. Chachi plays the lead role in that one and he does a mighty fine job. I got bored after a while and looked at my other project, a novel that spans three generations. Whoa! Yes, right. It is a huge project, 362 pages done and I am lost. Not sure how to proceed. Bah hambug!

What am I doing? It was supposed to be a lazy day. So I put my feet up, cuddled with my little guy and was feeling rested until my ex showed up. We talked for a while but I could feel something coming to the surface. It wasn’t good. I cut the conversation short and sent him on his way. It was downhill from there. My lazy day was nowhere to be seen and I had to keep moving to keep my mind from going to places I didn’t want it to go!

So do lazy days make me feel rested or unproductive. I can’t answer that question because I don’t think I have had one so far!

Daily writing prompt

Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

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