Shannon's Review - White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Title: White Christmas Pie
Series: Not Currently
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unknown
Genre: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction,
Publisher: Barbour Books
Received: Bought
Release Date: September 2008
Pages: 300
Rating:



Author Wanda Brunstetter’s Official Websites:






Website:
https://wandabrunstetter.com/

Blog:
https://wandabrunstetter.com/journal/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WandaBrunstetterFans

Twitter/X:
https://twitter.com/WBrunstetter

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wanda_brunstetter/

TikTok:
None found

YouTube:
Https://www.youtube.com/user/WandaBrunstetter



Shannon’s Thoughts:

A winter wedding is planned for the Amish couple Will and bride-to-be Karen. Will was originally born in the English world, but at 6, his real father left him with an Amish couple, Mark and Regina. His father had meant to come back for Will after a couple of months but terrible circumstances happened that kept him from writing or physically getting him. When he finally did come for him Will and his adoptive family moved and his father had no way of finding him. Will now an adult and soon to be married still has abandonment issues. After 16 years his father has found him and wants to reconnect. Will must find a way to deal with his anger and find a way to forgive.


I am a fan of Amish fiction for two reasons: One is because they are light-hearted, cozy, and don’t need much brain power. Two my mother really liked them and now that she has passed away they make me think of her. This one was one of the last ones she had read. It was a comforting read. The back and forth between the Amish families and then Will’s English family felt different than some Amish fiction and I liked it because of that.


I was hoping for it to take place during Christmas but in reality, it doesn’t get to the holiday until the end of the book. I was also surprised there was no recipe in the back of the book for the pie because I have seen books that do put the recipes in the end.


Even with the holiday misdirection I still like Wanda Brunstetter’s Amish fiction more than others because I feel her books are always lite.

Shannon's Review - Stinky Santa by Otto Fishblanket

Title: Stinky Santa
Series: Not At The Moment
Author: Otto Fishblanket
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Gerald Hawksley
Genre: Fiction, Children, Picture Book, Holiday, Christmas, Santa
Publisher: Gerald Hawksley
Received: Bought
Release Date: November 2012
Pages: 30
Rating:

Author Otto Fishblanket's Official Websites:


Website:

None Found

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
None Found

Twitter:
None Found

Instagram:None Found


Shannon’s Thoughts:

Santa is stinky and it is time for his yearly bath. Which means it is Christmas time!

With prose in rhyme, and can be read in the tune of jingle bells. It is a story most little boys will love because bath time is usually as difficult as Santa, his elves and reindeer only bathing once a year.

While the premise is promising and the art is quaint the writing isn’t as memorable. As you are reading, the words just don’t work some of the time. I felt I had to keep rereading and the words would not stay in my head.

This was not my favorite but if I had read it to my nephews I think they would enjoy it better than I did.

Shannon's Review - The Gift by Pete Hamill

Title: The Gift
Series: Not At The Moment
Author: Pete Hamill
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Bernard Klein
Genre: Fiction, Holiday, Christmas

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Received: Bought
Release Date: November 2005
Pages: 153
Rating:







Author Pete Hamill’s Official Websites:


Website:
http://www.petehamill.com/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/PeteHamillAuthor/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/petehamillnyc

Instagram:
None Found


Shannon’s Thoughts:

A 17-year-old Pete returns from the Navy for a holiday family visit. In hopes to see the girl, he has affection for he visits local bars with friends. While she is not so much interested in him he then finds that family is the most important love to have.

I have read one book by Pete Hamill called Forever which I really enjoyed. I was eager to see what this short Christmas story was like. Hamill is a really good writer. As each short chapter went on I was intrigued to see what this “gift” was going to be. I also wondered if this was based on the author’s life as he named the main character after himself.

Even though I liked what I was reading I knew from the beginning that whatever “The Gift” was I knew it was going to be not what I hoped for and to be honest it was a sweet ending but kinda lackluster. I wanted more about his family connections and just wanted more story in general

There is something in the way Hamill writes he really does mesmerize the reader. The reader gets comfortable with the atmosphere and characters. So while this was not my favorite by Hamill it will not be my last.

Shannon's Review- Zetta The Poinsettia by Alma Hammond

Title: Zetta The Poinsettia
Series: Not At This Time
Author: Alma Hammond
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Zuzana Svobodova
Genre: Fiction, Children, Picture Book, Holiday, Christmas
Publisher: Sweetbeet Books

Received: Purchased
Release Date: October 2019
Pages: 34
Rating:






Author Alma Hammond’s Official Websites:



Website:
https://www.sweetbeetbooks.com/

Blog:
https://www.sweetbeetbooks.com/blog-events.html

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AlmaRLeakanHammond/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/almarhammond

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/almarhammond/



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Zetta, a beautiful poinsettia flower wonders her place in life as it is purchased, displayed during Christmas and her life after the holidays.

Zetta is an adorable character in which the illustrations work together with the writing to make her even more likable. It is hard not to wish Zetta a long life because is so happy to be displayed like the other ornaments.

Poinsettias were a big plant in my grandmother’s house at Christmas time. We would buy her white or red poinsettias she would display during the winter season. Zetta had a better life than the flowers my grandmother had. I am not sure any of us thought to plant the poinsettia in the yard after the holidays. This book reminds me of good times at my grandmother’s and sad for the flowers I could have preserved better.

I could see Zetta’s story producing a sequel or series of books. I think older toddlers and on will enjoy the story of Zetta the Poinsettia.

Shannon's Review - An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor

Title: An Irish Country Christmas

Series: Irish Country #3

Author: Patrick Taylor

Genre: Fiction, Holiday, Christmas

Publisher: Forge

Received: Bought

Release Date: October 2008

Pages: 496

Rating:

Author Patrick Taylor’s Official Websites:

Website:

http://patricktaylorauthor.com/

Blog:

N/A

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/PatrickTaylorIrishCountryNovels

Twitter:

N/A

Shannon’s Thoughts:

In the third installment to the Irish Country series we happily retreat back into Dr. Barry Laverty and Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly lives around the Christmas holiday.  As they share the practice that Dr. O’Reilly started their bond is getting stronger.  Dr. Laverty hopes that his girlfriend, Patricia, can make it to spend the holiday with him and Dr. O’Reilly rekindles an old flame.  Meanwhile the characters in town are a loveable and sometime silly group of Irish folk.

I love this series not only because you don’t have to read it in order but it reminds me of how Ireland feels when you visit it.  It is magical, friendly and relaxing. It feels like going home to me.  Of course my heritage has a lot of irish in it so it is only natural for me I guess.

Some people complain that the books are getting redundant and have formula but I do not feel that nor would I mind if it was.

The Irish Country stories are a nice cozy and warming stories that feel real to me. They are plausible stories that usually end with a happy ending. I have realized something about happy endings.  I use to get bored of them but now I realize I like them more than any other ending. If your life were a book which ending would you like?  Not many of us get happy endings and it is what I hope for and if I don’t get it at least I live briefly in a book that does.

Shannon's Review - Christmas With Anne Of Green Gables And Other Stories by L.M. Montgomery

Title: Christmas With Anne Of Green Gables And Other Stories

Series: N/A

Author: L.M. Montgomery

Genre: Fiction, Classic, Holiday, Christmas

Publisher: Wilder Publications

Received: Bought

Release Date: November 2015 (on kindle)

Pages: 100

Rating:

Author L.M. Montgomery’s Official Websites:

Websites:

N/A

Blog:

N/A

Facebook:

N/A

Twitter:

N/A

Shannon’s Thoughts:

12 short Christmas stories, the first two from L.M. Montgomery’s most famous series Anne Of Green Gables.

If you had only read the first book in the Green Gables series you might not want to read the second short story because it does spoil Anne’s story a little. 3 of the stories were different and refreshing compared to most of the stories.

Some of the other stories which are not in the green gables series have the feeling that is heart-warming and sweet but honestly most of them were the same story over and over.  A family can’t afford gifts for their children and it looks that they will have nothing for christmas so someone gives them their gifts.  Maybe it has to do with the time period they are written in but most of the stories got old real quick.

I love what I have read of the Anne Of Green Gables series but these short stories are not great. That said I would still try other short stories by L.M. Montgomery.

Shannon's Review - The Star by Michele Breza

Title: The Star

Series: N/A

Author: Michele Breza

Genre: Children, Picture Book, Hoilday, Christmas

Publisher: Diamanda Publishing

Received: From Author For Review

Release Date: November 2015

Pages: 32

Rating:

Author Michele Breza’s Official Websites:

Website

http://www.michelebreza.com/index.html

Blog

N/A

Facebook

N/A

Twitter

https://twitter.com/authorbreza

Shannon’s Thoughts:

A little star in the night sky wants to be special and part of something big.  He gets his wish and shines brightly as an announcement to all about a special birth.

The illustrations are charming and whimsical. The stars feeling of wanting more and being special like other stars in the sky is relatable for most.

Although I understand the feeling of wanting and waiting to be special I feel like the the telling of the story was lacking. I wanted the story telling to match the adorable imagery and it fell flat.

I think the story idea is a good one but I feel the execution of the story is not where it needs to be.  

Happy Holidays!!

Have A Great Holiday!  I Hope You Got Loads Of Books This Year! ;) 

Here's our Xmas card this year. It was Marvel themed.

Hubby is Thor, I am Scarlet Witch,  Gadzooks (in tree) is Tippy Toe the Squirrel and Zanna is Lockheed. 

Shannon's Review - How Santa Changed by Karl Steam

Title: How Santa Changed

Series: N/A

Author: Karl Steam

Genre: Children, Picture Book, Holiday, Christmas

Publisher: Karl Steam

Received: From Author For Review

Release Date: Nov 2016

Pages: 38

Rating:

Author Karl Steam’s Official Websites:

Website

https://www.karlsteam.com/

Blog

N/A

Facebook

N/A

Twitter

N/A

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Before Santa had help with reindeers and elves he made all the toys and traveled on his own. As time went on the world got bigger and santa could not do everything on his own so he searched for help.

The rhyming scheme is excellent and a great story to read out loud. The story really fits into Santa’s background that most of us know. It seems very plausible and shows Santa’s human side. The side that stresses, worries and gets tired.

I think only thing I am not fond of is the title, How Santa Changed. I don't really know what title would be better.  I just felt like the title did not grab me and honestly did not make me want to read it.

Even though my issues with the title are there. I am glad I did read it. It is one of those surprise books that you think you are not going to like but then like it more than you did.

Shannon Review - Tovi The Penguin Goes Away For Christmas by Janina Rossiter

Title: Tovi The Penguin Goes Away For Christmas

Series: Tovi The Penguin

Author: Janina Rossiter

Genre: Childrens, Picturebook, Holiday, Christmas

Publisher: Janina Rossiter

Received: Bought

Release Date: September 2014

Pages: 32

Rating:

Author Janina Rossiter’s Official Websites:

Website

https://www.janinarossiter.com/

Blog

N/A

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/IllustrationJaninaRossiter/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/tovithepenguin

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Tovi and family visit a cabin in a extremely snow covered place.  So snowy that it seems Santa did not see them and left no presents.

This family of penguins are very cute and seem easily pleased even after the disappointment of no presents from santa.  Although they have not received gifts they find happiness with just spending time with each other.

I do think that the message that family is more important than the materials things we want, but I worry particularly for little ones that this story is read to. For instance those who are traveling with family getting upset about Santa forgetting them on Christmas Eve. Even though I know that is not exactly how it ends, Santa really did not forget them.

This was introduction to the Tovi The Penguin series, and even though I am not sure which penguin is Tovi, I can see the likableness of this series.

Shannon's Review - The Deep And Snowy Wood by Elwyn Tate

Title: The Deep And Snowy Wood

Series: N/A

Author: Elwyn Tate

Genre: Fiction, Childrens, Picturebook, Christmas

Publisher: ??

Received: Bought

Release Date: November 2012

Pages: 22

Rating:

Author Elwyn Tate’s Official Websites:

Website

N/A

Blog

N/A

Facebook

N/A

Twitter

https://twitter.com/elwyntate

Shannon’s Thoughts:

What a festive book! As the animals romp in and under the snow filled woods to join a little celebration our eyes are shown adorable art along with sweet rhymes.

This book is sweet but not overly sweet. It is short but the combination of art and little text can be read out loud to children in ways that keep the young ones attentive to the story.

My only issue is that I wish I had the physical book in my hands because I would give it to my nephew who is a up and coming book lover. I read this in the kindle version and at the end the author did say it would come out in paperback so it may be available now. I have had this version for a few years and it has taking me till now to review.

I would have loved to see a continuation of the end to see how the animals celebrated the winter  holidays. The art is lovely and I can see little ones wanting it read over and over again.