Advent Stories Day 8: The Christmas Star

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.

Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.

Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!

 

 

 

Synopsis: "Follow the shining star as it guides shepherds, kings, and all the animals of the forest to the stable where the Holy child lies. Now available in a sturdy board book edition, this glittering Nativity, by the author of "The Rainbow Fish," is a perfect Christmas gift for the entire family to share."

My Review: This is a nice Christian story for Christmas. You get to follow the star, which doesn't often take center stage. I enjoyed reading it to Munchkin. The issue is the illustrations, they are very artistic, watercolor like but they aren't bold enough for young children to be able to focus on. There is some shimmery spots through out to catch their eyes but they still can't really focus on something.

My Rating: I give this one a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag. Its a nice story but the illustrations just aren't up to par for the little ones.


 

Graphic Novel Review of Free Realms Book 1 by JS Lewis

Synopsis: "SONY teams with WildStorm and best-selling fantasy author J.S. Lewis (the Grey Griffins series) for an exciting adaptation of Free Realms, their exciting, all-ages virtual world! This family-friendly series mirrors the nonstop action of the game, offering thrilling adventures, battles with vicious monsters and, of course, the allure of gorgeous fairies!

The story begins when a young boy is abducted and dragged into a darkened forest teeming with twisted monsters. It's up to a relic hunter and a pixie to save him, but their mission is cut short when a horde of troll-like creatures captures them!"


My Review: I felt like I came in during the middle of the story, I kept looking back to see if I had missed some pages. It also seems like a ramped up version of the movie Fern Gully. The illustrations are bright and vivid, an anime style to them. There are several short adventures that are part of a bigger story that is very interesting. I think that if you have played the video game that you might enjoy Free Realms better. I still like it and the adventures, especially the sub-characters but it is not high on my list to seek out the next volume.





 

My Rating: While I did enjoy this graphic novel, it doesn't top my list, can't really put my finger on it but something just isn't there for me.  I give it a rating of Two Paws.

Bedtime Story/ Advent Stories Day 7:

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.

Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.

Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!

 

 

Synopsis: "Sing along with a merry family of mice as they prepare for Christmas and two very special guests! The classic carol is brought to life with charming illustrations full of homey details."

My Review: This was a very cute book using the song Deck the Halls. The illustrations are adorable and bright and even a little textured. The only problem I had is that you can't help but sing the book and gosh poor munchkin had to hear it LOL! All in all a cute book but not really any story or moral like I prefer.

 

My Rating: I give Deck the Halls a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

 



 

 

Advent Stories Day 6: Sock it to me, Santa

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.

Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.

Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis: "Ryan is assigned to Jamie Peterson for his class's secret gift exchange. If word gets out that he has to make a handcrafted gift for flamboyant and openly gay Jamie, Ryan will be the laughing stock of the school. It's a good thing no self-respecting boy would be caught dead in a craft store, because otherwise he'd be at risk of being spotted when his mom drags him to her weekly craft workshops. He hopes Jamie will appreciate all the trouble he's going to for this assignment. Finding the perfect gift is gonna be tricky. Jamie deserves something good, though, after all the crap he has to put up with at school. At least, Ryan tells himself that's the reason he's putting so much thought into the gift. It couldn't be that he has feelings for Jamie, could it?"

My Review: This could quiet possibly be the sweetest romance I have read all year, possibly longer! So much is packed into this little story, romance, coming of age, gay romance (clean), coming out and so much more. I loved the characters, they were so vivid. I want to hang out with all of them! I want to join knitting club with Jamie, I want to baby sit Ryan's little sister, I want to participate in crafting class with Ryan's mom, I want to do a secret santa in his class and of course I want to get to know Ryan. I hope Madison Parker writes more about all these wonderful characters I fell in love with, PLEASE ;)

 

My Rating: I can't suggest this book enough, it is definitely a Four Paw and a Stump Wag worthy book!!

 

 

 

Music Speaks Read-Along #11 - End of the Line

 

Throughout November I will be doing a read along of Music Speaks an anthology of stories with music. I hope you will all participate.  Music, like books, can affect us in so many ways it only makes sense to have a book of music stories. I will be doing 2 stories a week, the first of which will be on Thursday. 

You can get your copy in ebook format on Amazon for $2.99 or in paperback format on Amazon for $6.99.  Sorry but its not on Barnes and Noble (I should have told you all to get it earlier because I downloaded it when it was free).

So please join me, if you aren't going to be reading along I would still love if you would stop by, I would love to hear how particular songs or artist have made an impact in your life!

Welcome to the final readalong of the month! This short story in the book is call End of the Line and is written by LB Clark.


End of the Line found us in the cafeteria of a hospital where a young girl was crying because a song by the music group her mom was going to take her to see before her mom got sick. Near by was the groups lead singer.  He listened to the little girls story and called his group to come perform for the little girl and her mom.  The mother was very thankful and was glad to be able to share her love for music and that specific group with her daughter.  Not long after the mother passed away but the daughter got to spend some time with her and bond over the new found love of music.


So what group or artist would you want to share with your children, nieces or nephews?



I hope to instill in Munchkin a love for music. I happen to love a wide variety of music and would love him to give each genre a chance.  So I am going to pick people from my favorite groups: Tom Petty, Clint Black and George Strait, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Enya, gosh I could go on and on so I guess I will just stop there!!



Thank you all for joining my little read along! Hope you have a great December and maybe stop by for my Advent Stories!!

Advent Stories Day 5: A Christmas Countdown

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.

Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.

Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!

 

 



 

 

Synopsis: Holly Babes take us on a Holiday countdown, filled with decorations and friends preparing to celebrate the season. My Review: I admit I am totally obsessed with the Holly Babes, they are just too cute! The illustrations are absolutely adorable. The countdown items seem to be unique and different from other holiday countdown books I have read, ie. caroling birds or lambs on their way to bed. Possibly one of my favorite books I have read to Munchkin this Christmas season.

 

My Rating: I adore this book so I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

 

 

 

Wednesday Writing

So Wednesday is my official writing update day. I have so many story projects going on and I need a push to get some done. So I will be trying to post each Wednesday about how my writing adventures are going (and I may need a swift kick in the pants by you guys sometimes).

Current Active Project:

The Last Mountains - 13,468 (handwritten) = 15,766 (typed)

A equine shapeshifting family is being hunted to near extinction and the young new leader must go against all her lessons and approach the elite council for aide. Will they help her? How will she keep her family's traditions and values alive, let alone her herd?

Tamlyn Marie's Grace -

Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)

Other Works in Progress:

The New Old Home - 17,193 words

Everyone dreams of winning the lottery, but what would you do with that money? That is the question presented to Natalie, when she is at the lowest point in her life, she is presented with an opportunity to make any normal person's dreams come true, but all those winnings can't give her what she wants most.

Princess Bs - 32,131 words

A story about a woman, recently divorced and returned to her home town to figure out what is next. She encounters an old friend and spends a weekend with him and his daughters. Feelings that are long since buried are rising up again, but are her recent loss and his current life going to stand in the way of their happily ever after?

Night Rider - 17,229

Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?

Other Ideas Plotting:

Bloodsoar's Story

A pegasus struggles through life, ejected from the herd, near capture by humans.

The Assassin's Assassin

A student learns what the school is really teaching and sets out to destroy those who support the program.

Angel Story

Angels battle out an age old feud in a parallel world

 

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So I didn't get anything done this last month, no surprise there! But I hear some of you who participated in Nanowrimo did awesome, you got some writing done and some of you even won! Congrats no matter how much writing you got done!!

Advent Stories Day 4: Christmas Jars

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.

Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.

Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!

 

 

 

Synopsis: "Where had it come from? Whose money was it? Was I to spend it? Save it? Pass it on to someone more needy? Above all else, why was I chosen? Certainly there were others, countless others, more needy than me...

Her reporter's intuition insisted that a remarkable story was on the verge of the front page.

Newspaper reporter Hope Jensen uncovers the remarkable secret behind the "Christmas Jars", glass jars filled with coins and bills anonymously left for people in need. But along the way, Hope discovers much more than the origin of the jars. When some unexpected news sets off a chain reaction of kindness, Hope's greatest Christmas Eve wish comes true."

My Review: Wow, what an emotional book! It had me bawling the entire way through it! It may not have been the best written book but it hits where it counts. The characters are what really counts, you instantly love each one of them. Even though it is a fictional tale it still gives you hope that there is good people out there and that the spirit of Christmas hasn't been completely lost. It shows that one kind act leads to another and another, it makes me hope that each time I smile at someone or say please and thank you or hold a door open for someone that maybe that small kindness is turned around and given to someone else. A great Christmas story and lesson that we should all read to bring us back home.

 

 

My Rating: I read this one for book club last year, and guess what its still great! I give it a rating of Four Paws.

 

 



 

Advent Stories Day 3: Fa La La

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.

Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.

Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!

 

 

 

Synopsis: "It’s almost Christmas, and baby simply cannot contain the exuberance. There are things to decorate: a tree, a gingerbread house, a doggy! There are very creative presents to make, Santa to see (must be brave), carols to sing, not to mention the big event itself. Come celebrate the season with humor and joy as everyone’s favorite baby puts a special spin on Christmas."

 

 

My Review: This was a fantastic book for my little Munchkin.  This is the first book that he has really paid attention to, finally something his little eyes could focus on.  The images were simple and the colors were bold.  The story was short and simple.  All of these things lead to a perfect book for really young little ones.  It will even be great for when they get older, finding out their favorite things about the holiday as you read about the Baby's. I particularly liked when he made gifts for the family, too cute!

 

 

My Rating: I think this is a Four Paw book for me and Munchkin!

 

 

 



 



Music Speaks Read-Along #10 - Heaven Sent

 

Throughout November I will be doing a read along of Music Speaks an anthology of stories with music. I hope you will all participate.  Music, like books, can affect us in so many ways it only makes sense to have a book of music stories. I will be doing 2 stories a week, the first of which will be on Thursday. 

You can get your copy in ebook format on Amazon for $2.99 or in paperback format on Amazon for $6.99.  Sorry but its not on Barnes and Noble (I should have told you all to get it earlier because I downloaded it when it was free).

So please join me, if you aren't going to be reading along I would still love if you would stop by, I would love to hear how particular songs or artist have made an impact in your life!

Welcome to the next readalong of the month! This short story in the book is call Heaven Sent and is written by LB Clark.


The owner of a club is just trying to get through another night. This happens to be an open mic night.  As he prepares for the night a woman comes in and seems rather down and lonely, but he keeps on with his work.  As the night moves along he opens the show and introduces other artists, takes the stage a few more times in between but all night he can't get the girl out of his mind. He looks for her in the crowd at the end of the night but she isn't there, assuming she left he works on cleaning up.  He turns to find her standing there in front of him. She thanks him for the songs that he played.  She felt that god had brought her to the club and caused him to sing just the right songs to give her hope.


Now instead of asking if any of you have been touched by a certain song at just the right time (which I am sure has happened a time or two), I am going to ask you to make a difference in someones day. Doesn't have to be anything big, just a smile, a hello, a hug or even letting someone who seems rushed or frazzled go in front of you in the check out line.



Thank you! I hope you will all join me for the final read-along on Thursday for End of the Line!

Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

 

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Sacrifice in Stone by Patricia Mason
Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Seuss
One Snowy Day by Tammi Salzano
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

 Lots of Childrens books!
Sock it to me Santa by Madison Parker
 



Currently Reading:

Cleo: The cat who mended a family by Helen Brown - PB - on page 124 of 292
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - PB - on page 28 of 472
Royal Flush by Scott Bartlett - Nook - on page 62 of 206
Florence by Ciye Cho - Nook - on page 138 of 203

 

Next Books to be Read:

Under Camelot's Banner by Sarah Zettel - Arthurian Legend Challenge

Soul of a Highlander by Melissa Mayhue - Mount TBR Challenge
 

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Another week gone by and it was a tough one.  Hubby went to third shift for the Christmas season, so it is hard keeping all the kids (especially the four legged ones) quiet so he can sleep.  Munchkin has decided he wants to talk too and chats like crazy to his toys. He was so loud on Friday we actually had to pack up and leave the house for a few hours!

Besides reading a little when I can, I have been working on those Christmas projects. I still have a little more decorating to do around the house too!

I hope you all had a great week last week and have another good one this week!

Advent Stories Day 2: The Christmas Quiet Book

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.

Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.

Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!

 

 

 

 

Synopsis: "The holidays are filled with joyful noise. But Christmas is sometimes wrapped in quiet: “Searching for presents quiet,” “Getting caught quiet,” and “Hoping for a snow day quiet.” Irresistibly cute, soft colored pencil illustrations of bunnies, bears, and more paint a magical holiday picture indeed."

 

 

My Review: Another adorable Christmas book for the little ones! I love the little woodland animals and their holiday preparations.  I enjoyed the little touches of humor throughout the book, particularly 'blown fuse quiet' hehe.  I also like that it is filled with quiet activities for little munchkins, hopefully this story will help teach my little one to be somewhat calm and quiet during the season because I clearly recall driving my own mom insane!

 

 

My Rating: I give this one a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag! Filled with beautiful illustrations, simple reading for the short attention spans and quiet things all can enjoy during the season.