Kris Kringle's Magic Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Kris Kringle's Magic by Diane Stringam Tolley!

Kris Kringle is often in trouble for his beliefs. But in a world where elves are slaves, he is determined to make things right, even if it means standing alone. With the help of his friend Rebecca, Kris starts with the children. But can a pile of gifts on Christmas Eve really change anything?

Told from Rebecca’s perspective, Kris Kringle’s Magic is the story of a boy who devotes his life to the service of the poor, hungry, and destitute—and by doing so, becomes the legend of Santa Claus. This instant holiday classic is sure to captivate kids of all ages.

Meet the Author:

Diane Stringam Tolley was born and raised on the great Alberta prairies. Daughter of a ranching family of writers, she inherited her love of writing at a very early age. Trained in Journalism, she has penned countless articles and short stories. She is the author of four e-books and the recent Christmas story,Carving Angels, also by Cedar Fort. She and her husband, Grant, live in Beaumont, Alberta, and are the parents of six children and grandparents of twelve.  To learn more about author Diane Stringam Tolley you can visit her website: www.dianestringamtolley.com/index.html.

Review:

A young elf comes to interview Mrs. Rebecca Kringle, the wife of Kris Kringle. As Rebecca tells her story, the young elf learns that things weren't always good for elves. They were treated as lesser citizens and were basically slaves. Things began to change when Kris Kringle came to town to visit family. Disgusted by the treatment of elves, he begins challenging the long-standing beliefs of the people. He also teaches Rebecca that her preconceived notions may not be correct. Kris Kringle's need to help people eventually leads him to utilize his friendship with the elves to bring gifts and comfort to many children. However, this may all be threatened by the cruelty of others, and this leads Kris and his elf friends to make a drastic decision.

If you're looking for heartwarming stories to get you in the Christmas spirit, look no further. This books takes your typical Kris Kringle origin story and expands upon it in some interesting ways. I love that it dealt with loving others and issues of equality. Kris Kringle took these things very seriously, whether it was elf treatment or taking care of families in need. He did all he could to help him fellow beings. Rebecca made for a great partner in crime (even if she was drug into it to begin with). I like the concept of Kris Kringle not just being some jolly old man bringing toys on Christmas, but really being someone who champions the less fortunate and just wants all children to be happy. That is something that I can really get behind.

This is an excellent book, and it is a super quick read. It would be easy to add reading it to the family as a Christmas-time tradition. There are some deep concepts, but they are treated in a way everyone can understand and bound together by faith and belief. If this book doesn't make you want to get out and help everyone you can, I don't know what will. I really loved this book, and I think it will make an excellent addition to your usual Christmas reading.

Book provided for review.

Be sure to check out all the stops on the tour. Thanks!

For All the Saints Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for the book For All the Saints by Kristen  Smith Daley!

For All the Saints provides an uplifting account of the ways in which the Lord builds his kingdom through ordinary men and women. Set in Boston, Massachusetts and its surrounding areas, the book draws upon the experiences of hundreds of members, ranging from prominent Church leaders to brand new converts. Their collective insights teach powerful lessons about commitment, faith, sacrifice, and leadership that are applicable to us all, no matter our corner of the vineyard.

Drawing upon accounts both humorous and profound, these Saints remind us of the impact one person can have when partnered with the Lord. They also instill a sense of gratitude for the contributions of those who precede us and demonstrate that the Lord’s promises are sure, as we each play a role in a work much larger than our own vantage point might suggest.

Kristen Smith Dayley lives in Issaquah, Washington, with her husband and children. Although she loves the Pacific Northwest, she insists on regular pilgrimages to New England, where her early childhood was nurtured by Make Way for Ducklings and the Freedom Trail. Kristen’s first experience with confession and repentance occurred at the age of five, after she shoved dead leaves and grass through the mail slot of the bishop’s office at Cambridge’s Longfellow Park Chapel. Despite that misdeed, she was allowed to return when she was admitted to Harvard Law School and even served as Relief Society president of the Cambridge University Ward (perhaps as penance). Kristen is a practicing attorney and aspires to develop some hobbies outside of Church and family when time allows.

To learn more about the author and For All the Saints, you can visit the website at: www.forallthesaintsbook.com.

Review:

The LDS church in Boston and surrounding areas has a long history. At times the membership has been quite small, while at other times the numbers threatened to overwhelm the infrastructure they had there. Part of what made things successful in good times and bad were the individual members there. Some were called to be leaders while others managed to serve in smaller capacities. No matter how "small" the calling seemed, true service and love was given, and these things helped to make the church very successful in this area. In the end it was the people that made all the difference.

There were two main components to the book: a history if the church in New England and stories of the people who lived in the area at various times. These two things are intertwined though, so it's not a straight history. More than that, the book uses the examples of the various people's stories to teach a broader lesson about how we are able to serve and contribute within the church. By tying the stories in with the history, it keeps the book from getting too dry or plodding. The story is able to be told in leaps and bounds while still making sense in the big picture. At times trying to keep the names of people straight could seem a bit overwhelming, but in the end the names were less important than the things they did. Those were the main ideas that stuck out to me.

One this I really felt was emphasized was the idea of just serving the best way you can no matter what. We will not all be serving in the "high profile" leadership callings, but that doesn't keep us from being able to perform great acts of service. Learning to offer up whatever you can, no matter how small it may seem, can help people in ways that we cannot even conceive. Another thing that stuck out to me was just the sheer faith these people had. In congregations big or small, they were often called upon to do things they thought might be near impossible. However, they often pressed forth offering all they had and were able to accomplish things they never imagined. I found this book to be very inspiring. It reminded me of a lot of things that I often forget as I get so involved in my day-to-day life, and it led me to renew my commitment to do the best I can in everything I do. It also made me grow to love all of the people who worked so hard to build firm foundations in the New England area. Their good deeds have and will continue to have effects beyond their mortal lives, and we can all have the chance to make that kind of impact on the world around us.

Book provided for review.

Be sure to check out all the books on the tour. Thanks for stopping by!

The Waiting Booth Book Blast

Welcome to the book blast for The Waiting Booth by Brinda Berry!

A missing boy, government agents, an interdimensional portal... Mia has one goal for her senior year at Whispering Woods High-find her missing older brother. But when her science project reveals a portal into another dimension, she learns that travelers are moving in and out of her woods in the most alarming way and government agents Regulus and Arizona are policing their immigration. Mia's drawn to the mysterious, aloof Regulus, but it's no time for a crush. She needs to find out what they know about her brother, while the agents fight to save the world from viral contamination. But when Regulus reveals that he knows Mia's secrets, she begins to wonder if there's more going on than she thought...and if she was wrong to trust him...

Buy the book at:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

Author Brinda Berry

Brinda Berry lives in the southern US with her family and two spunky cairn terriers. She has a BSE in English and French and a MEd in Learning Systems Technology. She's terribly fond of chocolate, coffee, and books that take her away from reality. She doesn't mind being called a geek or “crazy dog lady”. When she's not working the day job or writing a novel, she's guilty of surfing the internet for no good reason.

Links:

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter 

Goodreads * Youtube * Google+

The Waiting Booth Book Trailer:

Book Blast Giveaway Details:
$100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 PayPal Cash from Author Brinda Berry
Ends 11/1/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Brinda and leave the others blank.


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Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

A Merry Little Christmas Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman!

Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds.

Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who's preparing to spend the holidays alone...again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny's farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she's more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city.

As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart-that sometimes love comes when you're least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eyLJH   

Meet Anita:Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Find out more about Anita at http://www.anitahigman.com.

Review:

Franny has always dreamed of leaving her parents farm and moving to the big city. Franny has been taking care of the farm on her own since her parents passed away. When a rich stranger shows up offering to buy the farm, Franny has a chance to live out her dreams. There's only one problem. While helping out the new owner Charlie, she's also developed feelings for him. As they both move forward with their new lives, Charlie and Franny discover that being around each other may be the best new life they could have. Unfortunately it may take a Christmas miracle for this to happen.

I love music and I love Christmas, and I really love Christmas music. This book was like some of the best things about the holidays all wrapped up with a neat bow. It was so sweet, and it even had a chance to remind me of all the people I could help, not just during the holiday season. There were several topics covered in this book, but it never managed to get too heavy. I'll admit I was a bit curious early on what the conflict was going to be, but this book managed to surprise me with a few things. I liked the approach of having these two people from completely different worlds trying to set off on their own doing the things they wanted. They shared a common dream of living theirs lives as they saw fit, and this helped to bring them together. 

Franny was a fun character. She had such a sure sense of principles and justice. I loved that she was not afraid to stand up for what she believed in. I was also very happy that she was able to find someone who could stand for those same things in Charlie. With their differing backgrounds, this was another thing that helped draw them together. Overall this was just a really sweet book that is perfect for those cold days leading up to the holidays. It just makes you want to cozy up and read it through to the end. It's a very quick read, and it will help to remind of you the good you can find in people. 

Book provided for review.

Author Anita Higman invites readers to kick off the season with a spirited holiday tale. Anita is spreading the Christmas cheer by giving away FIFTEEN COPIES of the book. To enter to win A Merry Little Christmas, just head over to THE CONTEST PAGE at Anita's website and fill out the short form. Be sure to put BLOG CONTEST in the Subject Line. That's it. Winners will be announced on the Litfuse blog (and notified by email) on 11/9.


Be sure to check out all the stops on the blog tour! Thanks for stopping by!

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!

I love this time of year. With all the holidays coming, it gets super busy, but that also means super fun!

In celebration of spooks and scary things, I am offering up my usual:

a $10 Amazon.com gift code or $10 in books from Book Depository!

Please check to ensure that Book Depository delivers to your country.

How do you enter?

Choose one or any or all of the following:

1. Follow on GFC or Linkyfollowers

2.  Follow on Twitter

3. Like on Facebook

4. Friend on Goodreads 

That's all!

Also, if you are in the US, be sure to enter my giveaway for Married at Fourteen.

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Be sure to check out all the stops on the tour! Thanks for stopping by!

Married at Fourteen Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Married at Fourteen by Lucille Lang Day!

Looking back at her adolescence, Lucille Lang Day describes herself as a juvenile delinquent and teen mother. She ran away at thirteen, got suspended from school and married at age 14, gave birth to her first child at 15, divorced her husband at 16, married him again at 17, and left him at 18 to go back to school. 

Her autobiographical quest, Married at Fourteen, presents her unrelenting and ultimately triumphant journey across the badlands of familial trouble, emotional chaos, and the social and cultural upheaval in the '60s, to find fulfillment in romance, marriage, motherhood, and high accomplishments in both the arts and sciences. Lucille holds an M.A. in English and M.F.A. in creative writing from San Francisco State University, an M.A. in zoology and a Ph.D. in science and mathematics education from the University of California at Berkeley.

One of the great American contemporary memoirs, Married at Fourteen is a testament to the human spirit and a book for all of us who have sought independence, emancipation, true love, and personal fulfillment against all odds. 

About the Author:

Lucille Lang Day has published creative nonfiction in The Hudson Review, Istanbul Literary Review, Passages North, River Oak Review, Willow Review, and many other journals. She is the author of the children's book, Chain Letter, and eight poetry collections, one of which received the Joseph Henry Jackson Award. Married at Fourteen has been excerpted in many literary magazines. The founder and director of a small press, Scarlet Tanager Books, she also served for 17 years as the director of the Hall of Health, an interactive museum in Berkeley. For more info, visit http://www.lucillelangday.com

Review:

Married at Fourteen is the autobiographical story of Lucille Lang Day. The first half is a fairly chronological telling of her life including marriage at 14 and a child at 15. The second half of the book is a series of intermingled tales from throughout her life. Through it all, Lucille has to navigate some very hefty stuff much earlier than most girls must learn these difficult last lessons. Some of the lessons take much longer to learn, but ultimately this is a story of triumph and self-discovery.

This book was so interesting. Lucille decided very early on that she had an unhappy home-life, and that the best way out of it was to get pregnant and get married. I think life for her was probably very rough growing up. It seems like her mom needed more help than she was getting. I found it both a bit fascinating and sad that Lucille became so convinced that marriage and a child were her ticket to freedom and happiness. Clearly in hindsight she can see how warped this thinking was, but she was certainly single-minded as a teenager. Her tenaciousness was very apparent through her life. Whenever Lucille decided to do something, Lucille did it. Whether it was getting multiple degrees or finding true love, she rarely wavered from her course. There is something to admire in that.

While at times things were a train wreck, this ultimately became a story of success despite the odds. With all the less than desirable decisions Lucille made at different times, I really feel like she ultimately was able to find her own happiness. There's a lot to learn from that. Everyone has messy lives to some extent, so we have to decide what we are going to make of it. Lucille decided that she would be successful. There are a lot of wonderful things to learn from this book. It will make you think and perhaps even find renewed vision to do all the things you always wanted to do. In the end, Lucille did that. She didn't let anything get in the way of her dreams.

Book provided for review.

I have a copy of this book to giveaway! Unfortunately this giveaway is for US residents only due to mailing costs. There is one easy entry and an entry for following this blog. Thanks for stopping by!

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The Reluctant Bachelorette Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson!

Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.

Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?

About the Author:
Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Review:

Taycee is having a hard time with men. Mostly because she can't forget one guy in particular. Taycee and her brother were best friends, and they usually had a third member to be a part of all their antics. This third person, Luke, was the apple of Taycee's eye until he left town for college and never contacted her again. A decade later Taycee still can't get over the hurt she feels. These feelings come to a forefront when Luke suddenly shows up back in town, ready to start his own veterinary practice. On top of this, Taycee's friend has signed Taycee up for a charity version of The Bachelorette. Taycee would love to tell her no way, but her entire town is at stake. Will Taycee be able to work her way through tangled romances on and off the show and still manage to save her town?

This was such a cute book! It was a fun mix of reality shows and real life. I felt so bad for poor Taycee. I liked that she had some flaws and was able to acknowledge them. Taycee really had a good heart, and I wanted her to be very happy. Being on a Bachelorette-type show was very out of Taycee's comfort zone, but she did it for love of her town. I liked that Taycee always wanted to do what was right by other people, but she seemed to be thwarted by various things going on. Luke was someone you could get attached to easily too. He was smart and fun, and you could see that he and Taycee had something going from the start.

I breezed through this book very quickly. It was fun to read, and it kept me interested throughout. There weren't any huge surprises in this book, but that's not what this book was about. It was a fun way to escape for a bit. Another thing I loved (and this may seem random), but the chapters were mostly on the shorter side. This made it easy to sneak in some reading in between feeding kids and vacuuming and everything else I do in the day without having to stop in the middle of important things. Of course, I didn't want to stop at all, but that's another issue altogether. Overall this was a very cute book that will have you cheering for Taycee and hoping for an awesome romance for her.

Book provided for review.

Be sure to check out all the stops on the tour. Thanks for stopping by!