Post latest blog on static home page

Hi. Really need help/advice on this. I’m trying to do the following for my static home page:

1. post only the latest blog post from a specific category in one section of the home page using elements [post carousel or something similar]
2. I want the featured image displayed together with a specific number of words [not the full text] with a “read more” button
3. I want the featured image on the left, with text at the side and continuing below [right now it is fixed below the featured image]

My site is still under construction so not viewable as yet. Very new to all this so please keep it as non-technical as possible.

Thanks very much