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Tuesday, March 19, 2019

The Hansen Girls Review Michael R. French's "The Beginners Guide to Winning an Election"

Thank you WOW! Women on Writing for this opportunity to read and review The Beginner's Guide to Winning an Election - by Michael R. French.


Michael R. French’s
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election




• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: 2018907650 (November 25, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1732511705
• ISBN-13: 978-1732511705
Amazon Link: click here

The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election
The year is 2025. The United States is afflicted with global cyber attacks, economic crashes, foreign wars, and lots of anxiety. State budgets for public schools are hit hard . In a student body president race in a small city Indiana high school, popular, charismatic Matthew has his own consultants, bloggers, oppo researchers, and funds from an unidentified source that have helped him win every election since ninth grade.

Over-achieving, introverted Britain is a novice to elections, but as a history wonk, politics fascinate her. She also has a crush on Matthew. After she joins his SBP team, someone hacks Matthew’s website, leaking stories that the candidate is far from the Eagle Scout he pretends to be. Matthew and his team of 15 call the stories “spineless lies.”

Britain is stunned when she’s scapegoated by Matthew as the mystery hacker. Kids dump on her for betraying the school leader. Her reputation in shreds, she decides to enter the presidential race to clear her name. No one gives the novice a chance, but that only makes Britain more determined to find a way to win.

With the help of her three good friends, “No more secrets” becomes Team Britain’s slogan. For a while she stumbles in her campaign, until the anonymous hacker begins leaving notes in Britain’s locker, telling her which rocks to look under if she wants to beat odds-on favorite Matthew. She puzzles over who exactly is helping her—her favorite history teacher, an apostate on Team Matthew, or one of the many “undecideds” that impact any election?

Every mystery solved leads Brit to face a more complicated challenge, some threatening her existence…



Book Review by The Hansen Girls


The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election, by Michael R French, is an entertaining and fast-paced read. With compelling characters that drew us in and had us rooting for them immediately! All three of us enjoyed this story line but as a mom, I was pleasantly surprised by this book overall. I had expected something a bit dry, but I connected with the characters (especially Britt). I was particularly drawn to some of her struggles with finding her place in the world and her dreams for the future. I found myself thinking back to my own high school years as I read about Britt’s indecisiveness and uncertainty. The younger readers certainly can relate to these as current hot topics and concerns.

The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election would be a great read for anyone looking for some inspiration to get outside their comfort zone and do something new. As a mother and educator, I enjoyed the book from a little different perspective than my daughters, and very much appreciated the way the author handled the complex theme of integrity in politics.

This is a great read for teens and up; it is a refreshing look at politics and the involvement of young adults in politics and the political process. Principles of honesty, truth, politics, teamwork, and integrity were all woven into a novel we just couldn’t put down. The Beginners Guide to Winning an Election by Michael R. French is an inspiring read.



About the Author:
Michael R. French graduated from Stanford University where he was an English major, focusing on creative writing, and studied under Wallace Stegner. He received a Master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. He later served in the United States Army before marrying Patricia Goodkind, an educator and entrepreneur, and starting a family.

In addition to publishing over twenty titles, including award-winning young adult fiction, adult fiction, biographies ad self-help books, he has written or co-written a half-dozen screenplays, including Intersection, which has won awards in over twenty film festivals. He has also had a long business career in real estate, living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His passions include travel, collecting rare books, and hanging with friends and family. He describes his worst traits as impatience and saying "no" too quickly; his best are curiosity, taking risks, and learning from failure.

French’s work, which includes several best-sellers, has been warmly reviewed in the New York Timesand been honored with a number of literary prizes.

Endorsements
“Michael French has penned a fascinating, fast-paced, futuristic story about a determined high school senior named Brit who runs an against-all-odds campaign for student body president. There are scenarios that bedevil the imagination: dirty tricks, cyber and other tech attacks, love intrigues, and a picture of how the personal growth of one individual can shape a collective future. As a politician with several elections under my belt, I couldn’t put the novel down.”
--Governor Bill Richardson
Former member of Congress, US Ambassador to the United Nations, US Secretary of Energy, and Governor of NM


“Politics and kids. Michael R. French knows them in everyday life and in high school. Politics squeeze the kids, and the kids squeeze back. What happens matters in the hearts and minds of young people as well as in the larger world that shapes us all. This is a smart novel with vision, and a story full of feeling.”
—Frederick Dillen
Author of Hero, Fool, and Beauty,a Wall Street JournalFavorite Book


“If you like cheering for an underdog and savor a complex, exciting story that seems to spring from today’s events, you’ll love The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election. We could use more real heroes like Brit, the leading character in Michael R. French’s newest novel. She’s a young woman with tremendous tenacity and a strong moral compass who rises above her innate shyness to make a difference in her world.”
—Anne Hillerman
Author of the New York Timesbest-selling Leaphorn/Chee/Manuelito mystery series



“Michael R. French weaves a frighteningly plausible tale of political and educational corruption and gives us a heroine worthy of exploring, uncovering, and confronting it. Like all great heroes, she stumbles into her quest but then grows into knowing the power of honesty, principles, truth, and teamwork in pursuing it. This is a novel for anyone who honors history, idealism, and courage in the face of our country’s current political, economic, educational, and moral challenges.”
—Marc Talbert
Author of Dead Birds Singing, A Sunburned Prayer, and Heart of a Jaguar



“A wise, provocative novel about an Indiana high school student body election in a 2025 post-Orwellian universe. A political novice, a science whiz named Britain, is surprisingly motivated to take on the establishment favorite, who may not be who he claims to be. Here Michael French, one of today’s greatest writers for young adults, gives us a realistic page turner with complex themes that intrigues adults, too.”
—Barbara Beasley Murphy
Award-winning author of Ace Hits the Big Time and
Miguel Lost & Found in the Palace


“The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election, a captivating novel, follows the story of Britain, a senior in high school who runs a daring campaign for student body president in the year 2026. The brilliance of this work is that wrapped into its easy-to-follow and easily relatable narrative are deep political and socioeconomic messages that can be foundational in understanding politics and also offer new perspective on the current status of US politics. I recommend this incredibly engaging book for readers thirteen and up, and even schools that wish to teach students more about the high privilege and honor it is to be able to vote and have a political voice in our country.”
—Gerry Orz
Award-winning filmmaker, youth activist, and author of Lucky or Not, Here I Come


“For high school history, civics, and political science teachers who want to help their students understand the political process on a much larger stage, this highly readable page turner has it all—candidate messaging using social media, hidden agendas, opponent bashing, fake news, and even dark money. I highly recommend this compelling book as an effective teaching tool.”
—Leslie Carpenter
Former teacher, principal, and superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools


“An inspirational novel, A Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election examines America’s broken political system through the lens of a student body presidential election at a midwestern high school. From the issue of dark money’s influence on our elections to convincing the habitual nonvoter to vote, author French weaves an emotional tale of an underdog’s efforts to win the election and save her school’s integrity. For those losing hope in America, this book is a must read.”
—Bruce Berlin, JD
Author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America and
president of New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics


“The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election is a heartfelt and moving story with vivid characters and a realistic, near-future setting. I highly recommend this novel of courage, honesty, duplicity, and the corrupting influence of private interests in public education—a wonderful book that deserves a wide audience.”
—Douglas Preston
#1 New York Timesbestselling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God

“We have a saying at our high school’s model legislature: ‘Democracy is not a spectator sport.’ Michael R. French’s poignant new novel demonstrates that adage through Brit Kitridge, a high school senior who finds her political voice and clarifies her future by challenging her school’s beloved principal. I hope this book inspires more students to get involved in politics and public service by doing the same—speaking up.”
—Meredith Tilp
High school AP government and politics teacher, and
co-sponsor of Model Legislature/Youth in Government





Find Michael Online:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Michael-French/e/B001ITYVES/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRFrenchAuthor/?fref=nf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mfrenchauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mfrenchrt66/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrfrenchbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/287338.Michael_French?from_search=true&search_version=service
Website: http://www.michaelrfrench.com/
Blog: http://www.michaelrfrench.com/blog



----------Blog Tour Dates

Launch Day – February 25th
Michael R. French returns to WOW! Women on Writing for his tour of "The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” with an interview and giveaway at the Muffin!

Tuesday, February 26th @ Linda Appleman Shapiro
Linda Appleman Shapiro reads and reviews the latest bestseller by Michael R. French. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”!
http://applemanshapiro.com/category/book-reviews/

Wednesday, February 27th @ Bring on Lemons with Carmen Otto
Middle Schooler Carmen Otto offers her thoughts after reading “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French. Readers won’t want to miss this chance to hear from Carmen and learn more about this excellent YA novel!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Thursday, February 28th @ Bella Donna’s Books with Dawn Thomas
Dawn Thomas reviews “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” for readers of Bella Donna’s Books. You’ll delight to learn more about Michael R. French and his exciting new work!
http://belladonnasbooks.com/

Friday, March 1st @ Fiona Ingram
Fellow author Fiona Ingram spotlights the latest novel by Michael R. French. Readers will delight to learn more about “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”!
http://www.fionaingram.com/

Saturday, March 2nd @ Author Anthony Avina
Author Anthony Avina has fellow author Michael R. French in today’s spotlight with a guest post by French and more information about the bestseller “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

Tuesday, March 5th @ Breakeven Books
Today’s Author Spotlight at Breakeven Books is a bestseller by Michael R. French. Readers will delight as they learn more about “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”!
https://breakevenbooks.com/

Wednesday, March 6th @ Coffee with Lacey
Lacey reviews “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French. Grab a cup of coffee and join Lacey for an enjoyable review of this delightful novel!
https://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/

Thursday, March 7th @ Sreevarsha Sreejith
Sreevarsha reviews Michael R. French’s latest novel – a YA work titled “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”. Don’t miss Sreevarsha’s insight and thoughts!
https://sreejithsreevarsha.wordpress.com/

Friday, March 8th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Madeline Sharples reviews the enjoyable YANovel “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French. Readers and Choices won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear what Madeline thinks about this book.
http://madelinesharples.com/


Wednesday, March 13th @ Selling Books with Cathy Stucker
Cathy interviews Michael R. French about his latest novel “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”.
https://www.sellingbooks.com/

Tuesday, March 19th @ Bring on Lemons with the Hansen Girls
Cathy Hansen along with her two teen daughters offer their thoughts about “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 21st @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles loves YANovels and is excited to share her review of “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French.
https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/


About today's reviewers:
The Hansen girls include Wisconsin educator and business owner Cathy as well as her teenage daughters Elizabeth and Emilia. Thank you girls for adding your insight to this book blog tour!


Monday, March 18, 2019

Crystal's Pasty Recipe

I'll make this quick - but my mom's name is Patty and she's from the UP. Growing up in Central Wisconsin, I didn't know what a pasty was. I knew my mom got one every time we went to visit grandma though. My mom still loves pasty's like us Wisconsin girls like our deep fried cheese curds. She tried one from a local grocer the other day and commented how terribly tasteless it was. I decided since yesterday was St Patrick's Day I would try my hand at making her a pasty. Here you go!

I didn't follow a recipe - so this may not follow the traditional rules of pasty making. You've been warned! (lol - but they were delicious)

Filling Ingredients:
-1/4 C diced onions
-2lb ground beef
-3 potatoes chopped into small pieces (if you prefer, you can use 1 potato and 2 rutabaga or whatever combination you prefer - to get you to approximately 3 cups of "stuff")
-2 carrots chopped into small pieces
-3 stalks of celery chopped into small pieces
-1 clove of garlic - minced
salt and pepper to taste

I started by frying up the ground beef and then adding the onion and after those were browned, I added the other ingredients. I wanted the veggies cooked but not mooshy. I tasted yummy just the way it was, so I knew adding the pastry crust would make it that much more delicious!

For the Crust: 
-2C flour
-pinch of salt
-4oz lard (or substitute equal amount butter)
-2-3T cold water

I just make the crust like I would a pie crust (using grandmas pie crust recipe) and rolled it out into a circle. I spooned in the filling that had been cooling while I was mixing the dough.

Put the filling just on half the circle so you can fold the top over. It's important to get a good seal, so I pressed down the edges really well all the way around and then cut the steam vents into the top of each pasty.

Now is about the point I started the oven preheating to 350F and put the parchment paper on the baking sheets. After all the pasty's were folded over and sealed, I used my fingers to pinch the edges like a pie crust and then transferred them onto the parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Before baking - I brushed each pasty with an egg wash to give them to shiny brown delicious color.

Bake 45-60 minutes and allow to cool a bit before serving. Serve with ketchup or gravy as desired.

ENJOY!!!!

Friday, March 15, 2019

5 Star Review of "Mrs. Murray's Ghost (The Piccadilly Street Series Book 1)

About the Book:
It's 1967 and Mary’s family has moved into a huge Victorian mansion. She loves her gigantic new house, especially her room. But then she begins to meet the house’s other residents. Mrs. Murray was murdered in Mary’s new house. At first she tries to scare the new residents away, but there seems to be a force connecting the ghost to Mary. Even the stranded Brownies, the little people who live between the walls, feel that connection. When Mary becomes deathly ill, the Brownies and the ghost team up to try to rescue her, only to encounter a witch and her evil dragons and minions. Time is running out. They must rescue Mary from a fever-induced dream world before she is trapped there forever.

Amazon Link

Print Length: 112 pages
Publisher: Tell-Tale Publishing Group, LLC (August 31, 2018)
Publication Date: August 31, 2018
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07GNRM659






About the Author:
Emily-Jane Hills Orford has fond memories and lots of stories that evolved from a childhood growing
up in a haunted Victorian mansion. Told she had a ‘vivid imagination’, the author used this talent to create stories in her head to pass tedious hours while sick, waiting in a doctor’s office, listening to a teacher drone on about something she already knew, or enduring the long, stuffy family car rides. The author lived her stories in her head, allowing her imagination to lead her into a different world, one of her own making. As the author grew up, these stories, imaginings and fantasies took to the written form and, over the years, she developed a reputation for telling a good story. Emily-Jane can now boast that she is an award-winning author of several books, including Queen Mary’s Daughter (Clean Reads 2018), Gerlinda (CFA 2016) which received an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, To Be a Duke (CFA 2014) which was named Finalist and Silver Medalist in the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and received an Honorable Mention in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and several other books. A retired teacher of music and creative writing, she writes about the extra-ordinary in life and the fantasies of dreams combined with memories.

Author links:
Facebook: facebook.com/realpeoplestories

Twitter: twitter.com/ejhomusic

Blog: beyondtheordinaryincanadianstories.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/1732544.Emily_Jane_Hills_Orford


Find more books by Emily-Jane Hills Orford: http://emilyjanebooks.ca/books.php?b3

And now what we've all been waiting for -
drum
roll
please....


5 Star Book Review by Carmen J. Otto

I might as well start at the beginning. I was immediately drawn to Mrs. Murray's Ghost because the cover art is absolutely intriguing! I also love books that are part of a series, because like my mother I have a hard time with endings of good books. I loved the cover art and right there on the cover was the word series - so I excitedly started reading. My favorite character was the little girl Mary. I felt so kindred with her throughout the story.

My favorite part of the book was when Brunny went into her dream world. I won't say more (mom says no spoilers allowed in a good review). The book was easy to follow, and it is now one of my favorite books. It was suspenseful and at points took my breath away. Mrs. Murray's Ghost is a book that is impossible to put down. Even with school and all my other obligations, it took me two days start to finish! I have already recommended this book to my fellow 6th graders and basically recommend it to anyone who likes adventure, suspense, and action in a book.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and I'm excited to see that Emily-Jane Hills Orford has an entire page on her website of other books she has written. I recommend this book, but also recommend her as an author. I enjoyed her writing!



About Today's Reviewer:
Carmen is an 11 year old from a small Wisconsin town where she lives with her family. Carmen
spends her days in school and evenings on her family's dairy farm where she milks cows alongside her father and grandfather. She enjoys swim team, reading books, and playing with her many siblings. When Carmen grows she plans to become a large animal veterinarian where she can help farmers with their cattle but also work with horses.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Now Booking - WOW! Women on Writing book blog tour for "Mindful Dementia Care: Lost and Found in the Alzheimer's Forest"

We may still have snow... but I am hopeful spring is on it's way and I have an exciting book blog tour to keep me warm! WOW! Women on Writing is helping promote another wonderful book for a delightful group of authors. This time it's a book titled: Mindful Dementia Care: Lost and Found in the Alzheimer's Forest by authors Ruth Dennis, Luke Nachtrab, and Velma Arellano. This book was just released in February and is already receiving fabulous reviews! I have the PDF and can provide it right away if you'd like to get reading - you won't want to wait!

Please contact me today to reserve your copy and participate in this tour. If you've never participated in a tour, feel free to inquire and I'll be happy to explain how it works - you don't even have to have your own blog!

Send an email today to participate - email address: crystal@wow-womenonwriting.com or crystaljotto@gmail.com

Be sure to include the following:

* The email address you'd like your ebook(s) sent to - or mailing address, but we have a limited number of physical copies.

*The name and url for your blog, or a note letting me know you do not have a blog

*A date you would prefer as your first choice, as well as a 2nd choice - this will be the date your review will be posted to your blog/this blog and social media. (the tour runs April 29th - the end of May)

Including posting to a blog, it would be fabulous if you could post your review on Amazon/Goodreads as well as your own social media. This is greatly appreciated although not mandatory to participate in a book blog tour.

As soon as all the dates have been filled for this tour, and a calendar has been put together, I'll email a media kit to everyone involved. This kit will include author pictures and bios as well the book cover and official summary and buy links for Mindful Dementia Care. This email will also include the calendar for the tour and should be able to answer most (if not all) the questions you may have concerning tour participation.

If you are an interview only blogger, please email with your interview questions as well as the dates preferred.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this and all matters.

We will not have guest posts available for this tour, but if you would like to run a book spotlight, that is always appreciated!


Mindful Dementia Care:
Lost and Found in the Alzheimer's Forest
by Ruth Dennis
with Velma Arellano and
Luke Nachtrab
launches April 29th 2019


Amazon Link



Synopsis

Mindful Dementia Care is a book of stories and a book of love.It is a book without denial, without any papering over of the challenges that can be involved with being a caregiver, and the sadness, anger, and frustration they may bring. It is also a life-changing source of information that can revolutionize relationships with one of the most vulnerable populations in our midst. In her decades as a caregiver, Ruth Dennis witnessed the tragic results of the medicalized and institutionalized way of caring for people with dementia. And equally clearly, she saw a better way.Mindful Dementia Care illustrates alternative methods for making a difference and achieving results through care that honors the whole person. The key is creating an environment with countless enriching touchstones to the inner person through facilities that are filled with art, animal companions, music, dance, books, laughter, and wholesome food. It is an approach that embraces creative and artistic processes to shape a more loving, spiritual approach for elders and their families.



Book Review - Michael R. French's "The Beginner's Guide to Winning an Election"

Thank you WOW! Women on Writing for this opportunity to read and review The Beginner's Guide to Winning an Election - by Michael R. French.


Michael R. French’s
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election




• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: 2018907650 (November 25, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1732511705
• ISBN-13: 978-1732511705
Amazon Link: click here

The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election
The year is 2025. The United States is afflicted with global cyber attacks, economic crashes, foreign wars, and lots of anxiety. State budgets for public schools are hit hard . In a student body president race in a small city Indiana high school, popular, charismatic Matthew has his own consultants, bloggers, oppo researchers, and funds from an unidentified source that have helped him win every election since ninth grade.

Over-achieving, introverted Britain is a novice to elections, but as a history wonk, politics fascinate her. She also has a crush on Matthew. After she joins his SBP team, someone hacks Matthew’s website, leaking stories that the candidate is far from the Eagle Scout he pretends to be. Matthew and his team of 15 call the stories “spineless lies.”

Britain is stunned when she’s scapegoated by Matthew as the mystery hacker. Kids dump on her for betraying the school leader. Her reputation in shreds, she decides to enter the presidential race to clear her name. No one gives the novice a chance, but that only makes Britain more determined to find a way to win.

With the help of her three good friends, “No more secrets” becomes Team Britain’s slogan. For a while she stumbles in her campaign, until the anonymous hacker begins leaving notes in Britain’s locker, telling her which rocks to look under if she wants to beat odds-on favorite Matthew. She puzzles over who exactly is helping her—her favorite history teacher, an apostate on Team Matthew, or one of the many “undecideds” that impact any election?

Every mystery solved leads Brit to face a more complicated challenge, some threatening her existence…



Book Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto


I was drawn in to The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election right from the beginning. There were a couple things that pulled me in as a reader:

*French’s descriptive writing made me “see” Brit as if I were watching the story unfold on the big screen.

*Brit’s character was one every student can relate to – this may be a futuristic novel, but the scenarios could take place today (or 20 years ago when I was in school). I particularly related to the feelings of loss and peer pressure surrounding Brit’s very first campaign.

*I was drawn to the story from the very beginning, but the fast-pace kept me engaged throughout.

There were pearls of wisdom I gathered while enjoying the adventure – wisdom such as:

• Be careful not to let someone else’s attacks define you before you define yourself. (84)
• Fighting back through positivity is the only way to fight back – though you can never silence the haters completely. (94)
• Being clever and persistent are admirable. (119)
• The whisper of truth ultimately is louder than the roar of deception. (198)
• Most battles worth fighting were ultimately waged in the trenches. (260)


I love that Brit encountered the same types of troubles our teens today do – bullying, social media, cyberspace, finances, etc… and this story is expertly woven and tremendously believable. I admire Brit’s drive (med school, the election, etc…) and how she gives her whole self to everything she does. I imagine the author, Michael R. French, is much like his main character in The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election. This book is well written and the editing is spot on. I can’t say I found any errors at all! Similarly, there were no parts of the story where I felt the pace slowed. I was truly engaged from cover to cover. I would definitely recommend this book to others (including my middle school readers).


About the Author:
Michael R. French graduated from Stanford University where he was an English major, focusing on creative writing, and studied under Wallace Stegner. He received a Master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. He later served in the United States Army before marrying Patricia Goodkind, an educator and entrepreneur, and starting a family.

In addition to publishing over twenty titles, including award-winning young adult fiction, adult fiction, biographies ad self-help books, he has written or co-written a half-dozen screenplays, including Intersection, which has won awards in over twenty film festivals. He has also had a long business career in real estate, living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His passions include travel, collecting rare books, and hanging with friends and family. He describes his worst traits as impatience and saying "no" too quickly; his best are curiosity, taking risks, and learning from failure.

French’s work, which includes several best-sellers, has been warmly reviewed in the New York Timesand been honored with a number of literary prizes.

Endorsements
“Michael French has penned a fascinating, fast-paced, futuristic story about a determined high school senior named Brit who runs an against-all-odds campaign for student body president. There are scenarios that bedevil the imagination: dirty tricks, cyber and other tech attacks, love intrigues, and a picture of how the personal growth of one individual can shape a collective future. As a politician with several elections under my belt, I couldn’t put the novel down.”
--Governor Bill Richardson
Former member of Congress, US Ambassador to the United Nations, US Secretary of Energy, and Governor of NM


“Politics and kids. Michael R. French knows them in everyday life and in high school. Politics squeeze the kids, and the kids squeeze back. What happens matters in the hearts and minds of young people as well as in the larger world that shapes us all. This is a smart novel with vision, and a story full of feeling.”
—Frederick Dillen
Author of Hero, Fool, and Beauty,a Wall Street JournalFavorite Book


“If you like cheering for an underdog and savor a complex, exciting story that seems to spring from today’s events, you’ll love The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election. We could use more real heroes like Brit, the leading character in Michael R. French’s newest novel. She’s a young woman with tremendous tenacity and a strong moral compass who rises above her innate shyness to make a difference in her world.”
—Anne Hillerman
Author of the New York Timesbest-selling Leaphorn/Chee/Manuelito mystery series



“Michael R. French weaves a frighteningly plausible tale of political and educational corruption and gives us a heroine worthy of exploring, uncovering, and confronting it. Like all great heroes, she stumbles into her quest but then grows into knowing the power of honesty, principles, truth, and teamwork in pursuing it. This is a novel for anyone who honors history, idealism, and courage in the face of our country’s current political, economic, educational, and moral challenges.”
—Marc Talbert
Author of Dead Birds Singing, A Sunburned Prayer, and Heart of a Jaguar



“A wise, provocative novel about an Indiana high school student body election in a 2025 post-Orwellian universe. A political novice, a science whiz named Britain, is surprisingly motivated to take on the establishment favorite, who may not be who he claims to be. Here Michael French, one of today’s greatest writers for young adults, gives us a realistic page turner with complex themes that intrigues adults, too.”
—Barbara Beasley Murphy
Award-winning author of Ace Hits the Big Time and
Miguel Lost & Found in the Palace


“The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election, a captivating novel, follows the story of Britain, a senior in high school who runs a daring campaign for student body president in the year 2026. The brilliance of this work is that wrapped into its easy-to-follow and easily relatable narrative are deep political and socioeconomic messages that can be foundational in understanding politics and also offer new perspective on the current status of US politics. I recommend this incredibly engaging book for readers thirteen and up, and even schools that wish to teach students more about the high privilege and honor it is to be able to vote and have a political voice in our country.”
—Gerry Orz
Award-winning filmmaker, youth activist, and author of Lucky or Not, Here I Come


“For high school history, civics, and political science teachers who want to help their students understand the political process on a much larger stage, this highly readable page turner has it all—candidate messaging using social media, hidden agendas, opponent bashing, fake news, and even dark money. I highly recommend this compelling book as an effective teaching tool.”
—Leslie Carpenter
Former teacher, principal, and superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools


“An inspirational novel, A Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election examines America’s broken political system through the lens of a student body presidential election at a midwestern high school. From the issue of dark money’s influence on our elections to convincing the habitual nonvoter to vote, author French weaves an emotional tale of an underdog’s efforts to win the election and save her school’s integrity. For those losing hope in America, this book is a must read.”
—Bruce Berlin, JD
Author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America and
president of New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics


“The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election is a heartfelt and moving story with vivid characters and a realistic, near-future setting. I highly recommend this novel of courage, honesty, duplicity, and the corrupting influence of private interests in public education—a wonderful book that deserves a wide audience.”
—Douglas Preston
#1 New York Timesbestselling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God

“We have a saying at our high school’s model legislature: ‘Democracy is not a spectator sport.’ Michael R. French’s poignant new novel demonstrates that adage through Brit Kitridge, a high school senior who finds her political voice and clarifies her future by challenging her school’s beloved principal. I hope this book inspires more students to get involved in politics and public service by doing the same—speaking up.”
—Meredith Tilp
High school AP government and politics teacher, and
co-sponsor of Model Legislature/Youth in Government





Find Michael Online:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Michael-French/e/B001ITYVES/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRFrenchAuthor/?fref=nf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mfrenchauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mfrenchrt66/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrfrenchbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/287338.Michael_French?from_search=true&search_version=service
Website: http://www.michaelrfrench.com/
Blog: http://www.michaelrfrench.com/blog



----------Blog Tour Dates

Launch Day – February 25th
Michael R. French returns to WOW! Women on Writing for his tour of "The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” with an interview and giveaway at the Muffin!

Tuesday, February 26th @ Linda Appleman Shapiro
Linda Appleman Shapiro reads and reviews the latest bestseller by Michael R. French. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”!
http://applemanshapiro.com/category/book-reviews/

Wednesday, February 27th @ Bring on Lemons with Carmen Otto
Middle Schooler Carmen Otto offers her thoughts after reading “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French. Readers won’t want to miss this chance to hear from Carmen and learn more about this excellent YA novel!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Thursday, February 28th @ Bella Donna’s Books with Dawn Thomas
Dawn Thomas reviews “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” for readers of Bella Donna’s Books. You’ll delight to learn more about Michael R. French and his exciting new work!
http://belladonnasbooks.com/

Friday, March 1st @ Fiona Ingram
Fellow author Fiona Ingram spotlights the latest novel by Michael R. French. Readers will delight to learn more about “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”!
http://www.fionaingram.com/

Saturday, March 2nd @ Author Anthony Avina
Author Anthony Avina has fellow author Michael R. French in today’s spotlight with a guest post by French and more information about the bestseller “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

Tuesday, March 5th @ Breakeven Books
Today’s Author Spotlight at Breakeven Books is a bestseller by Michael R. French. Readers will delight as they learn more about “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”!
https://breakevenbooks.com/

Wednesday, March 6th @ Coffee with Lacey
Lacey reviews “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French. Grab a cup of coffee and join Lacey for an enjoyable review of this delightful novel!
https://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/

Thursday, March 7th @ Sreevarsha Sreejith
Sreevarsha reviews Michael R. French’s latest novel – a YA work titled “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”. Don’t miss Sreevarsha’s insight and thoughts!
https://sreejithsreevarsha.wordpress.com/

Friday, March 8th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Madeline Sharples reviews the enjoyable YANovel “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French. Readers and Choices won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear what Madeline thinks about this book.
http://madelinesharples.com/


Wednesday, March 13th @ Selling Books with Cathy Stucker
Cathy interviews Michael R. French about his latest novel “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election”.
https://www.sellingbooks.com/

Tuesday, March 19th @ Bring on Lemons with the Hansen Girls
Cathy Hansen along with her two teen daughters offer their thoughts about “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 21st @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles loves YANovels and is excited to share her review of “The Beginner’s Guide to Winning an Election” by Michael R. French.
https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/