12 Days Day 4: Sleigh Read Tour 2012

   

Hello Everyone! Today I'm part of the Sleigh Read Blog Tour hosted by BUZZ BOOKS. One of the best things about being  a book blogger is having the opportunity to discover a new publisher or author. I was able to pick one book for review for this event  and  I chose the anthology Sleigh Ride.



There is something so wonderful about reading a book you've had no prior knowlege of. In our digital world we have access to cover reveals, chapter snippets and in some cases whole chunks of the book available for free online.

I had no such information with sleigh ride and so I was really emotionally accessable to the themes being explored in each story.

All of the stories in this anthology entertain but these few really stood out for me :

Monks & Musicians
by

Samantha Wilde

On a family sleigh ride Jeff confesses to his wife Angie a secret that will shake the foundations of their marriage, and their future. With the forshadowing in the beginning parts of this story I thought I knew what the outcome would be, but Wilde really kept me guessing. There are some deep themes in this story about infidelity, faith and the ability to start over. I was caught off guard by how emotionally invested I was in these character after  just a few pages.

Noche Buena

by

Maria Geraci

This story really addressed the restricting obligations the Holidays can bring to our lives. Maggie Cartwright is an attractive woman in her 40's living under the burden of her Mothers expectations and that of her social groups.  Maggie is restless.

All she can think about is Christmas's past at her families cabin and of Nestor, a handsome restaurant owner. In a moment of daring Maggie decides to boycott the family Christmas gathering and  take off for the cabin. She alos invites Nestor who to her suprise agrees. There is such sweetness to this story. The romance between the two is gentle and the story has a wonderful holiday spirit.

The Escape

by 

Megan Barlog 

One of my favorites. This story is about Hans a boy who works in a stable repairing animatronic animals along with a discarded hover sleigh that his been his pet project. When Rebecca enters Hans life she is on the run from her father and his plans to marry her off for profit. Hans becomes drawn into her life and forms a plan of escape for them both. I really likded this young couple and the futuristic setting, but I felt the eneding was a little bit of a cliffhanger. Hopefully Megan will revisit this world soon.

   

Hope I've intrigued you enough to visit the Buzz Books SITE They have a great Get One, Give One  promotion going on where you receive a freee book with purchase. Happy Reading and dont forget to comment for the 12 Days Grand Prize :)

 

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12 Days Review: Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett

 

Since today's main post is about winter weather and sleigh rides I decided to share another review about a book where snow and forest landscapes are involved. Enjoy! And don't forget to tell me your thoughts for contest enteries!

     

PUBLISHER:

Houghton Mifflin Company

This is such a gorgeously illustrated book. From the opening pages when we see a snow covered cabin and the border art showing Annie and her cat Taffy the reader is drawn into a dual adventure story.

Annie is curious about her cat Taffy's behavior. Taffy has been sleeping more than normal, eating a lot more food and curling up into very strange locations. Then one day Taffy completely disappears. Annie looks and looks but she cannot find Taffy. In her disappointment Annie decides she must find another friend. Annie takes some homemade corn cakes to the woods and waits to see what animal will come upon her. First off is a Moose, who is much to big. The next morning after another corn cake is placed there is a moose and a wildcat, the morning after a Bear joins the hungry group of animals. Then more and more animals as well: A Stag, Wolf and many more.

All of the animals are waiting for more of Annie's treats but she is out and so they all wander away. Annie's sadness returns but it won't last long because throughout her search for a friend the reader knows the secret of Taffy's disappearance and knows a special gift is headed Annie's way in the spring.

I've read this book twice know and each time some little nuance warms my heart and makes me smile. This is the type of book that will thrill Child and Adult alike, It deserves a special place in every personal library and a re-read every holiday season :)

       

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