Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 12

It took me a while to decide how best to deal with my stand out book from December as there is still over a week left and maybe my stand out book would be read during this next week, also I'm currently part way trough a couple of books so maybe my stand out book could be one of those. So what I've decided to do is to show case my stand out book from last December and that's what I'll do each year. I think this makes it as fair as I can make it. 

Before I get into it though I just want to say thank you to everyone who has joined me through my Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas, it has been a lot of fun for me and it has made me remember so many good books, not just the ones that I have mentioned. It's been a lot of work and the word twelve no longer means anything as I've typed it out that many times, but it's been worth it! I really hope you have all enjoyed this as much as me. 

Day 12 - December Book - Ghost Light by LeeAnne Hansen

Fiona Corrigan and her troupe of actors are mysteriously summoned to a remote Scottish Highlands village in the dead of winter. Fiona is all too happy to be stranded with Patrick, her brooding co-star in this strange village, until his caddish brother enters the picture and complicates everything. Set in the 1920’s, this chilling romance is entangled with twisted family secrets, murder and one, very persistent ghost.

My Thoughts

Even though I read this book almost exactly twelve months ago I can still remember the story and the characters clearly. I absolutely and utterly fell in love with this book and I have mentioned it more than once throughout the past year. 

Ghost Light had me hooked from the opening which was a scene from a play as it was so well written and I wanted to find out what it was foreshadowing in the book. I continued to enjoy the scenes throughout the book and how they echoed the main story, also I got a bonus story within a story. Who wouldn't like that! 

I can still feel the atmosphere that LeeAnne created even now as it was just so well done and so intense. The small sleepy village in the middle of nowhere and the cold - I remember wrapping myself in my blanket while reading this I was so involved. 

If you want to read my full quite rambling review of Ghost Light, you'll find it here. 

About The Author

I was lucky enough to interview LeeAnne back in July so for more information about her, please check out my blog post here. 

LeeAnne Hansen was born in Paris, grew up in Oklahoma and now lives in sunny southern California with her husband and cats. She enjoys writing, acting and playing bass guitar. She can be seen gracing the stage in various theatres or even directing. She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and has studied art and astronomy. She also thoroughly enjoys long walks on the beach.

If you've missed any of the days and would like to take a look, I've linked them all down below 

Day 1 - Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Day 2 - Sinking by Sarah Armstrong-Garner

Day 3 - Attack On Titan: Volume 1 by Hajime Isayama

Day 4 - The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen

Day 5 - Whispers Of Bedlam Asylum by Mark C. King

Day 6 - Deadly Harvest by Michael Stanley

Day 7 - A Single Drop Of Perfect & Other Stories by Jessikah Hope-Stenson

Day 8 - Beetlebrow by Ben Parker

Day 9 - The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Day 10 - They Move Below by Karl Drinkwater

Day 11 - For The Love Of Shakespeare by Beth Miller

Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 11

Last two days of Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas and today I'm recommending a non-fiction!

Day 11 - November Book - For The Love Of Shakespeare by Beth Miller

A treasure-trove of wit, imagination and emotion, his plays and poems continue to surprise, inspire, console and delight us. Whether you're a life-long lover of the Bard or a curious newcomer to his world, this companion will lift the curtain on the unforgettable characters and stories of Britain's greatest dramatist.

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved this companion book. The way it is written and the format used is brilliant. I was planning on reading it a bit at a time as it is perfectly planned in such a way that you can drop in and out whenever you want or look through and find something specific, but I enjoyed it so much I read it from cover to cover. 

I've been very naughty and my review isn't up yet, but it certainly will be between Christmas and New Year so you can look forward to that very soon. There will be some spoilers of my review in here but there is a lot more in my full review :) 

Companion books can end up being very dry as they are usually full of facts and dates but this is definitely not the case with For The Love Of Shakespeare. The way Beth writes is like she's talking to you and it feels like a really enjoyable conversation or discussion about Shakespeare rather than reading an essay. There is humour and personal experiences mixed in with the facts and it really makes it so much more readable. 

There are some really interesting interviews with people involved in the Shakespeare world throughout and it was good to read about how differently each person came to love the bard. 

I would 100% recommend this to fans of Shakespeare and to people who even have a passing interest in him. The best non fiction I have read in a long time. 

Are you a fan of Shakespeare? What is your favourite play? Only one day left of Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas and only one day left before Christmas, are you all ready?

About The Author

This has been taken from Beth's website which you can visit and enjoy in full here - 

http://www.bethmiller.co.uk/

I have been told that I write like a tall blonde, so that's how I'd like you to picture me.

I've published two novels and two non-fiction books, about The Archers and Shakespeare (that's two separate books, not one weird mash-up). (More info here).

Before writing books, I did a lot of different jobs. I worked in schools, shops, offices, hospitals, students' unions, basements, from home, in my car, and up a tree. OK, not up a tree. I've been a sexual health trainer, a journalist, a psychology lecturer, a PhD student, a lousy alcohol counsellor, and an inept audio-typist. I sold pens, bread, and condoms. Not in the same shop. I taught parents how to tell if their teenagers are taking drugs (clue: they act like teenagers), and taught teenagers how to put on condoms (clue: there won't really be a cucumber). I taught rabbis how to tell if their teenagers are druggedly putting condoms on cucumbers.

Throughout this, I always wrote, and always drank a lot of tea. I'm now pretty much unbeatable at drinking tea.

Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 10

Day 10 - October Book - They Move Below by Karl Drinkwater

Horror lives in the shadows.

It exists under the earth’s surface in ancient caves; below the vast sea’s undulating waves; under dense forest cover; within a storm’s thick, rolling clouds; downstairs in our homes, when we hear the knife drawer rattle in the night. Even our minds and bodies harbour the alien under the skin, the childhood nightmares in our subconscious.

In this collection of sixteen tales Karl Drinkwater sews flesh onto the bones of our worst fears whilst revisiting some of horror’s classic settings, such as the teen party, the boat in trouble, the thing in the cellar, the haunted museum, the ghost in the machine, and the urban legends that come true. No-one is safe. Darkness hides things, no matter how much we strain our eyes. And sometimes those things are looking back at us.

My Thoughts

Oh. My. Goodness, This book! This book made it difficult for me to go to the loo in the night because I kept thinking back to Just Telling Stories! I was making notes as I read each short story and the exact notes for this particular story was "Holyyyyyy Crap!" 

They Move Below consists of sixteen short stories that vary in types of scary and each and every one of them is excellent. I even wrote a mini review for every story which I wouldn't normally do, usually just a over view of the whole book, but I really felt these stories deserved the time. You can read the whole review here.

I hadn't read any horror for a few years before picking up They Move Below and it just reminded me how much I love the genre. (The last horror book I read was by Richard Laymon). Yes I do read them by daylight so I don't get scared at night, ha! But I enjoy the rush you get as the tension builds and the action or non action happens. 

Another reason I loved this book is that the beginning of one of the stories, Harvest Festival, was turned into an online interactive read your own story by Karl and it's one of the most fun things I've read/played through in a long while. It is still available if anyone fancies trying it out and seeing which way you'd deal with the situation - Interactive Harvest Festival.

Overall just such an enjoyable book and one I think has something for everyone. Not all fears are paranormal and In Truth Forebears this is very true and made for uncomfortable (in an enjoyable way of course) reading. Also as it's Christmas then you could always choose to read Living In The Present which has some very....interesting Father Christmas imagery! 

So that's my October stand out book, do you enjoy the horror genre? Do you choose to read spooky books around October and Halloween? Just two more days to go! 

About The Author

I was lucky enough to interview Karl back in July, so for more information about him, please go out check out that blog post here. 

Karl Drinkwater is originally from Manchester but has lived in Wales for over fifteen years, ever since he went there to do a Master's degree: it was easier to stay than to catch a train back. His longest career was in librarianship (25 years); his shortest was industrial welding (1 week).

He started writing stories when he was 9, and hasn't stopped. His writing sometimes spends time in the sunlit patches of literary fiction, where it likes to picnic beneath an old oak tree, accompanied by a bottle of wine, some cake, and soul-searching peace. At other times his words slope off into the dark and tense shadows of horror fiction, and if you follow them you might hear chains rattling behind locked doors and the paranoid screams of the lost echoing in the distance. There is no obligation to enjoy both of those avenues. His aim is to tell a good story, regardless of genre, but it always comes down to life, death, and connection.

When he isn't writing or editing he loves exercise, computer games, board games, the natural environment, animals, social justice, and zombies; not necessarily in that order.

karldrinkwater.blogspot.com
twitter.com/karldrinkwater
facebook.com/karlzdrinkwater

Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 9

Something a little different today, my stand out book from September was a classic and it really took my breath away! 

Day 9 - September Book - The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the great thrillers of all time. In 1853 William Thackeray wrote to a friend: 'began to read Monte Cristo at six one morning and never stopped till eleven at night.'. Falsely accused of treason, the young sailor Edmund Dantes is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of the Chateau d'If. After staging a dramatic escape, he sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo and catch up with his enemies. A novel of enormous tension and excitement, Monte Cristo is also a tale of obsession and revenge. Believing himself to be an 'Angel of Providence', Dantes pursues his vengeance to the bitter end, only then realising that he himself is a victim of fate.

My Thoughts

The Count Of Monte Cristo was one of the most surprising books this year for me as I went into it expecting not to like it. Me and my buddy reader F are working our way through classics and taking turns choosing the next read. For one of my choices, I chose The Count Of Monte Cristo as I thought that it would be long and wordy and just....not very interesting. How wrong was I!

I found The Count Of Monte Cristo extremely fast paced and exciting. The story was full of revenge and intrigue and is incredibly well written. The characters are all incredibly well developed, in particular Edmond Dantes, obviously. It has actually made me excited to pick up more Dumas books in the future. 

I also think that this book is now in the joint top spot for my favourite classic alongside Crime And Punishment. I did think it might top it, but no Crime And Punishment will not be toppled just yet anyway. 

If you're wary about trying classics, I would 100% recommend this as your first go. Yes it is long, but it is so action packed and interesting it is worth every moment. I will definitely be going back to re read at some point in the future. 

So that was my September stand out book. Have you ever read The Count Of Monte Cristo? Is it one of your favourites? Don't forget to join me tomorrow for my October book choice.

About The Author

Alexandre Dumas, père (French for "father", akin to Senior in English), born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, was a French writer, best known for his numerous historical novels of high adventure which have made him one of the most widely read French authors in the world. Many of his novels, including The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask, and The Vicomte de Bragelonne were serialized. Dumas also wrote plays and magazine articles, and was a prolific correspondent.

Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 8

I can't believe I am on day 8 and this is all going to be over in a few days! I really hope people have been enjoying this look back of my personal stand out books from each month this year. 

Day 8 - August Book - Beetlebrow by Ben Parker

Beetlebrow, the first book in the ‘Beetlebrow Trilogy’, is an intricately plotted, emotional and intensely engaging story about two teenage girls, Beetlebrow and Pook, thrown together in a life or death adventure taking place in a sinister, hostile and threatening world. The two will need all their resourcefulness to succeed in a daunting quest: to deliver a cryptic, vital message to the distant eastern city of Dalcratty. 

The growing love Beetlebrow and Pook feel for each other brings them closer together as they confront challenge after challenge, not the least of which is an encounter with the citizens of Essum, whose morality and culture is founded upon interpreting a half-finished painting. 

After you read Beetlebrow, your life will never be quite the same.

My Thoughts

The tag line of "After you read Beetlebrow, your life will never be quite the same" is actually quite true as I still think a lot about the story and the characters and I am really looking forward to the next book in the trilogy which I am hoping will come some time soon in 2017. 

This book took me by surprise as I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I first picked it up. I fell in love with the main character Beetlebrow and I felt like I was with her on her journey. I thought the world building was excellent as the lands were familiar enough to feel like you knew them but different enough for you to know they weren't real life locations. The desert in particular was particularly brutal and I could feel the heat pouring down on me. 

Beetlebrow also has one of the best descriptions about love that I have read and it has really stuck with me. The basic gist is that there are no words good enough to describe how good it is to be with the person you are in love with, except worded MILES more brilliantly! 

One last thing, I really think that a lot of important representation is included in this book and it was good to see a lot of different things from the usual YA that I read. To see my full review the link is here. 

I'll be back tomorrow with September's book and I still just can't believe how quickly these days are going! Are you all prepared for Christmas yet?

About The Author

I was lucky enough to have Ben as a guest on my Getting To Know... feature so for more information about him, please check out that blog post here. 

Ben Parker was born in Ealing, London in 1983. He started writing as a teenager, inspired by Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road'. His early interest in the Beats took him to Louis-Ferdinand Céline and Patrick White, whose work inspired further writing in literary novels. With an exposure to Alan Moore, Robert E. Howard, and Petronius Arbiter, his interest in adventure stories was piqued, and his work continues to tread the fine line between the excitement and emotion of thrilling, fast-paced "page-turners" and the more esoteric drives of satire and the systems of society evoked by "high-minded" literature.

His first novel, 'Beetlebrow', was inspired by thoughts about past civilisations, and how a person could navigate through worlds where everything is against their success. It is in the portrayal of the filthy, bustling streets of ancient Rome, or the alleyways, "rookeries" and make-shift communities of Victorian London which continue to inspire him towards how a person might survive in such an environment. 

Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 7

Day 7 - July Book - A Single Drop Of Perfect & Other Stories by Jessikah Hope Stenson

A Single Drop Of Perfect 
Carla’s on the cusp of adulthood. As her final weeks in the family home draw to a close she struggles to keep a grip on her true self. With her boyfriend hundreds of miles away, Carla battles with loneliness, finding comfort in unexpected places and experiencing moments of perfection that can never be replicated. 
What Isla Did 
Isla was young, brave and creative. She is remembered as a golden girl and their beloved daughter, but no one can be perfect. 
The Lemon And The Lake 
June and Max are exploring the gorgeous countryside of Granada. However, where there’s perfection, there’s horror. 
Wounds 
Helen’s new husband Steven brings his dog Wilf into the family home. When Helen’s eight year old daughter Maisie finds herself in hospital, suffering from a vicious dog attack, Steven has a lot to answer for. Moral and ethical questions arise when Helen is determined to have Wilf put down in spite of Steven’s desire to keep is beloved pet alive. 
The Edge Of A Smile 
Walking home at night, university student Heidi is accompanied by a stranger named Bryony. Both of them have secrets which will destroy the other.

My Thoughts

I had read very few (if any) short story collections before reading A Single Drop Of Perfect as honestly they'd never really appealed to me. When I had the chance to read A Single Drop Of Perfect I read the synopsis and it really caught my interest and I knew I wanted to read it. I'm so very glad I did. as I stated in my review (here), "A Single Drop Of Perfect is a collection of five short stories and I think each one is definitely its own drop of perfect."

I really think that each story is as strong as it's predecessor and I really related to a lot of the characters. The two stand out stories for me at the time, Wounds and What Isla Did, are still my two stand out stories now. Though I remember all of the stories very clearly considering how many months ago (and how many books I have read since) that I read them. Both of the stories involve children, so it may be that I'm a mum that they took hold of me more than the others. 

Even though this was Jessikah's debut book, you genuinely can't tell with the quality and maturity of the writing. I said at the time I was looking forward to what came next from Jessikah and I have since enjoyed her debut thriller which I absolutely loved! (My review for Trace This Scar is here).

This book encouraged me to start reading short stories and short story collections meaning I have discovered some new authors and have really enjoyed reading some shorter, quicker reads. It feel very satisfying to read something so interesting but finish it so quickly. 

Tomorrow I'll be back with day 8 and my stand out book from August. Do you enjoy short stories? Have you got a favourite collection that you'd recommend?


About The Author

Jessikah Hope Stenson is a 20 year old author, book blogger and journalist. She currently studies English at the University of Exeter where she is also the Editor-In-Chief of PearShaped Music Magazine. In her spare time, she enjoys slam poetry, listening to Paramore and curling up with a good book.

Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 5

Welcome back to Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas and I'm onto my stand out book from May, almost half way through already! 

Day 5 - May Book - Whispers Of Bedlam Asylum by Mark C. King

Even the splendour of Victorian Age London was not without its faults. In its heart is one of the darkest places in human history, Bedlam Asylum. The whispered rumours of brutality, fear, and hopelessness turn out to be only the beginning of its cruelty. One man is trying to protect his family by uncovering the worst of Bedlam's hidden secrets. One woman is following in her late husband's footsteps to try and help those that can't help themselves. They will both find that looking for evil does not necessarily make one prepared to find it.

My Thoughts

Whispers Of Bedlam Asylum is Mark's second novel and the second book following main character Sigmund Shaw. (You can read this as a stand alone if you so chose though). Sigmund is one of my favourite characters from this year and I adore his dedication to his family and his honour. In fact all of the characters in Whispers are absolutely brilliant. There are two really amazing, bright, strong and independent women in Charlotte an Sarah. And there are two excellent male side kick characters in Chief-Inspector Holmes and Basil an inmate in Bedlam Asylum. 

I mention it in my full review here, but I have to mention again that it's rare when an author gets the perfect balance of world building and character development, but I think it's done in Whispers. I could perfectly picture the Victorian London that the author wanted me to and scenes in the asylum were intense, I also want to meet the people I am reading about. 

Whispers Of Bedlam Asylum will stay with me for a long time and I will continue to love Mark's work. I currently have The Tomb Of Hannu waiting to be read which I need to get to ASAP! 

I'd never have thought I'd be recommending a historical fiction, action adventure with some steampunk elements book, but here I am doing it because this book is just THAT good. 

Tomorrow well be onto day 6 already and I will have my stand out book from June, so please come back to see what I recommend. 

About The Author

I was actually lucky enough to interview Mark back in June, so for more information, please check that out here.

Mark King is an easy-going writer with a talent for finding enjoyment in most any situation. He’s a lifelong reader whose literary interests include science fiction, adventure, thriller, and mysteries, to name a few. When not working or writing, he can be found watching movies, kayaking, associating with friends, and of course reading.

Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 4

I can't believe how quick these days are going, only 9 days left till Christmas! So today is day 4 of my Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas feature and my stand out book from April is a trade paper back. 

Day 4 - April Book - The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen

Every ninety years, twelve gods incarnate as humans. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are dead. The team behind critically thermonuclear floor-fillers Young Avengers and Phonogram reunite to start a new, ongoing, superhero fantasy with a beautiful, oversized issue. Welcome to The Wicked + The Divine, where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. But remember: just because you're immortal, doesn't mean you're going to live forever. Collects The Wicked + The Divine #1-5

My Thoughts

I was sent the first volume of The Wicked + The Divine as part of a banned books swap that I took part in and though I'd heard loads of hype about it, I had no real idea what it was about as it just had never really appealed to me. I'm a typical super hero comics/trades/graphic novels reader so this was out of my comfort zone and I put it off for quite a while before finally reading it. 

From the witty title to the conversations between characters, the writing is absolutely top class. Everything seemed to work smoothly and the pacing was spot on for me. I loved the premise of Gods coming to Earth to become the most famous people in pop culture every 90 years. I loved the characters, especially Luci! Luci is snarky and interesting and dresses immaculately. 

When talking about this book, I have to mention just how stunning the art is throughout. I thought the people were all incredibly stunning and the colour palette really worked. So a huge shout out to Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles. In comics the art is JUST as important as the dialogue and the balance has been struck perfectly in this volume. 

I was so pleasantly surprised about how much I enjoyed this book, it most definitely took me by surprise. I've been a lot more confident stepping out my comfort zone since reading The Wicked + The Divine so it has affected my reading in a positive way. 

So that's my April stand out book, have you ever read The Wicked + The Divine? What did you think? Are you a fan of comics/graphic novels/trades and if so do you have any recommendations for me?

About The Author

Kieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.

Twelve Days And Twelve Books Of Christmas - Day 1

Today I am kicking off my Twelve Days and Twelve Books Of Christmas feature and I'm going all the way back to January with my first recommendation. I will be covering one book a day for each month of the year up until Christmas Eve just in case you missed my announcement in my November wrap up. 

Day 1 - January Book - Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes 

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

My Thoughts 

When Six Of Crows came out at the back end of 2015 I didn't really pay too much attention as I'd never read the Grisha Trilogy and so it never really came onto my radar. As more and more reviews came out and people were raving about it... and lets be honest the cover is flipping beautiful... I thought I'd at least take a look to see if it was a stand alone and what the synopsis was. I was instantly sold. I've never read a heist book (that I can remember) and the band of motley crew sounded so interesting. Finding out that it could be read without reading the Grisha Trilogy first just sealed the deal and off I went to buy it. It must have meant to be though as the book I bought is signed by Leigh Bardugo!

I would share my review but ahem this is it so far - "Review to follow when I have the words!" Even now I have a struggle not to just gush about how much I loved the world and the characters and that I thought the story was just so exciting. Hopefully this should tell you just how much I enjoyed it. I will be writing a proper review, but I plan on reading it again first so that I can hopefully put into words my feelings and to prepare me for Crooked Kingdom (which I own but I just haven't had the time to read yet so no spoilers if anyone has read it!). Also when I finished reading Six Of Crow I immediately went out and bought the Grisha Trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading them in 2017.

So this is my first recommendation. Have you read Six Of Crows or any Leigh Bardugo? If you have what did you think?

Tomorrow I will have my February book choice, so please come back to check that out!

About The Author

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising). 

She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she’s lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band. Her new book, Six of Crows, arrives fall 2015.

She would be delighted if you followed her on Twitter, elated if you visited her web site, and downright giddy if you liked Shadow & Bone on Facebook. 

An Auchenvale Christmas by Emily Anne Brandon - Review

I don't normally read Christmas themed books, but last year I made my first attempt as fitting in a Christmas novel to join in with the holiday reading festivities. It was an unmitigated disaster and my choice did not work out for me at all. I was unsure as to whether I was going to venture back into the Christmas literature world again this year, but I got the chance to read An Auchenvale Christmas by Emily Anne Brandon and the synopsis sounded great so I jumped right back in and I'm glad that I did. 

An Auchenvale Christmas

What would you do if you had to spend an entire weekend with your picture perfect family in a tiny Scottish village at Christmastime? What if your parents were so disappointed in your life choices that they thought you should go to therapy? What if your three successful sisters were all married to rich, handsome men? How do you admit that your thirty-something life looks more like a twenty-something life? How do you explain the humiliating chaos of crappy jobs, never-ending singledom and a permanent lack of cash flow? 

You don’t. You lie. 

The Fitzgeralds come together every year for the weekend before Christmas. It’s tradition. But Robyn can’t face a whole weekend of disappointing everyone yet again, so when a timely opportunity presents itself, she runs with it. She runs all the way to her childhood home with it. 

A perfect Winter novella to curl up in front of the fire with. 

My Review

Robyn is the main character in An Auchenvale Christmas and she is a perfectly average person, working perfectly average jobs and enjoying her girly nights out with her best friend. All of this isn't good enough for her family though who are all high fliers and so she is dreading the weekend before Christmas and the annual trip home. I found Robyn really relatable and I enjoyed listening to (reading) her Scottish brogue and the Scottish words that she uses.  

Robyn meets Jack her local bar tender who offers to help her out and pretend to be her boyfriend to make her trip home a little more bearable. Jack is an absolutely wonderful leading man and is really the perfect guy. He helps a girl out in need and loves her for what and who she is, not needing anything more than that. He's also hot and intelligent so he really is the whole package! 

Robyn and Jack make the trip to Auchenvale which I could picture vividly thanks to the authors fantastic descriptions. I really could feel the cold of the snow and see the beautiful countryside, and they brace themselves for a weekend with Robyn's family. Nothing is as it seems though and everyone has their own problems, some people are just better at hiding it than others. 

I really enjoyed this book and I loved that there was a happy ending. There were also some laugh out loud funny moments which really added to my love of the book. I read an Auchenvale Christmas in one sitting as it was so much fun and so easy to read. It definitely made me feel Christmassy and I'm extremely happy that I read it. This book has renewed my interest in trying out Christmas books. 

I gave this book 5 Stars.  

Pee Wee The Christmas Tree by George Wells - Blog Tour Review

Today is my stop on the Pee Wee The Christmas Tree by George Wells blog tour and I have both my review and a review from my three year old Nerdling. 

About Pee Wee The Christmas Tree

Heartwarming illustrated story about a Christmas tree overlooked for his small size who refuses to give up on finding a family to spend the holidays with.

For years, Pee Wee has lived in the shadow of the bigger trees on the Christmas farm. Without enough sunlight to grow tall and strong, he has been forced to watch helplessly as the other bigger and more attractive trees are picked every year, going home with a happy family. Just as Pee Wee is about to give up hope that he will ever get the chance to bring joy to a family during the holiday season, he is finally cut down to be sold!

After years of waiting, Pee Wee is disappointed to find that he is still overlooked by customers wanting fuller trees to  decorate. With his dream of celebrating Christmas with a family of his own fading fast, he is at last discovered by two children who tell their father that they found one that is the perfect size. Driven back to their home and adorned with lights and decorations, Pee Wee is finally able to accomplish his life’s big dream: to make children happy at Christmas!

Pee Wee the Christmas Tree by George Wells is the perfect story for young kids this holiday season, encouraging them to never give up on their own dreams and proving that - large or small - there is room for us all.

My Review

Pee Wee The Christmas Tree is a very cute little story about a Christmas Tree who is too small to be used but is eventually found by the perfect family for him. It's a very nice subtle moral tale of not judging people by their outer appearance (in this case height) which is a good thing to instill from as early an age as possible.

The drawings are beautiful and match perfectly with the wording throughout. Both me and my little guy enjoyed looking at the pictures and took time to point different things out in them as we read the story. The story does rhyme which is always good in a children's book, though it took me a couple of attempts in places to get the rhythm back when I lost it while talking about the pictures.

Overall a fun book for younger children and one which parents won't mind reading. A great way to get in the Christmas mood and to prepare for decorating in December.

I gave this book 4 stars.

Mini Nerdling's Review

Woo Christmas tree has a star. Happy tree.

To purchase Pee Wee The Christmas Tree click HERE

About The Author

George Wells has been a songwriter for over fifty years with over 100 of his songs having been recorded. He has worked with artists including Charlie Walker, Neil Bonnett and Patsy Trigg and has had a song featured in the 1969 film, From Nashville With Music, as well as numerous television and radio programs over the course of his career. Wells currently resides in Huntsville, Alabama. Pee Wee the Christmas Tree is his second book.