From the top, here are some things that happen in one of Kerry James Marshall’s new paintings: in a well-appointed bathroom, a Black woman checks her blond ponytail in a mirror; her torso, in its leaf-patterned shirt, funnels down into a chimney on a blue roof; the gutter’s downspout merges with a tree trunk next […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2022/12/12/bring-up-the-bodies-kerry-james-marshall/
I love the grumpy/sunshine trope and grabbed How the Grump Saved Christmas by Claire Kingsley through Kindle Unlimited. A holiday second chance romance on a Christmas tree farm with reindeers and donkeys? Yes, please. Grab some hot cocoa and see why I recommend it.
How the Grump Saved Christmas
by Claire Kingsley
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Hardworking Isabelle Cook has a serious problem. Her family farm, site of Tilikum’s Christmas Village, is in trouble. Big trouble. And worst of all? The man trying to buy it is none other than the grumpiest, grinchiest man of them all—Elias Stoneheart.
That’s a big nope. She’s not letting him get involved. Not with his heart made of coal.
Elias Stoneheart is in the business of making money, not friends. Especially when his boss is promising a long-awaited promotion. All he has to do is convince one struggling family to sell their farm.
The problem? It’s Cook Family Farm. And Isabelle Cook is his ex.
He might have history with Isabelle, but this is just business. A Christmas-loving farm girl is not going to come between him and his ambition.
And Christmas? He hates it. Christmas Village needs to go.
But as Elias spends time in the small town, holiday spirit—and Isabelle—get under his skin. And she might be the only one who can melt the ice around his heart.
Author’s Note: a sassy farm girl takes on a grumpy businessman in this stand-alone, snowy, small-town Christmas romance. Saucy banter, a guard donkey, plenty of holiday cheer, and a heartwarming happily ever after that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas.
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Isabelle Cook has a lot to worry about this season. Her family farm, site of Tilikum’s Christmas Village, is in trouble. Unbeknownst to her, her dad took out a loan to help carry them through, but the truth is the farm has been seeing red. When a company comes nosing around to buy the farm, Isabelle is determined to keep the farm and save the Christmas Village.
Meanwhile Scrooge, I mean Elias Stoneheart, a cold business executive, is determined to move up the corporate ladder. Buying the farm from his old teenage girlfriend and her family shouldn’t be too hard. After all, the numbers make sense.
I love the grumpy sunshine troupe, and Kingsley delivered a sweet tale with an important message. Isabelle is lovely. She is also hurt and confused by how things ended with Elias. Her parents, the farm, the reindeer and an ornery donkey will make you smile. Secondary characters from villagers to squirrels will pull you in and have you rooting to save the farm.
Elias Stoneheart, with his grumpy I hate Christmas, all business attitude will melt the most frosty of hearts. Underneath that grump is a sweet man who needs to be loved. I loved watching him figure things out with help from the squirrels.
The romance is a second chance, with a touching backstory. I loved their chemistry and back-and-forth banter. If you are looking for an uplifting, fun romance with a dash of behind the door heat, How the Grump Saved Christmas is the perfect holiday treat.
Amazon*| Audible
How the Grump Saved Christmas by Claire Kingsley delivered a holiday grumpy/sunshine romance that will leave you smiling. #KindleUnlimited #HolidayReads #BookReview
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Claire Kingsley is a #1 Amazon bestselling author of sexy, heartfelt contemporary romance and romantic comedies. She writes sassy, quirky heroines, swoony heroes who love big, romantic happily ever afters, and all the big feels. A lifelong reader, she was raised books like the Hobbit, the Chronicles of Narnia, and the Secret Garden. Her love of reading turned into a love of writing and she spent much of her childhood creating stories. She’s still an avid reader, enjoying everything from epic fantasy to suspense to romance, plus plenty of non-fiction. She lives with her family in the inland Pacific Northwest. When she’s not writing, she’s busy wrangling three kids, walking her dog, and keeping her cat out of trouble, all of which are full time jobs.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/12/how-the-grump-saved-christmas-by-claire-kingsley.html
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe by Kelly Chang Rickert is a heartfelt and honest story about a young girl named Hope, who is learning to cope with her parent’s divorce. It’s a story about love, family, and how difficult it can be for kids when their parents decide they can no longer live together.
Since Hope is young, she doesn’t fully grasp the full reasoning behind her parents’ divorce and believes the actual reason is because she broke her family’s snow globe last Christmas. With this in mind, Hope sets out on a personal quest to repair the broken snow globe, with the expectation that this will also repair her family.
I really enjoyed this book, and especially loved the physical representation of Hope’s parents’ divorce as “broken,” like the snow globe. The story offers a great comparison for children, so they visually understand the message of the book in the most relatable way. The book’s illustrations were warm and comforting, which I found to reflect the overall spirit of the story.
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe is an exceptional holiday story. It’s an emotional but important read for children and a great way to start the conversation about separating families. This book is a wonderful way of facilitating helpful and healing communication about a difficult topic, and I think it will be a great addition to your home library.
Pages 34 | ASIN 173526184X
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/12/hopes-broken-snow-globe/
Since Patricia Angeles was a child she has had great doubts, a lot of creativity, and a great capacity for imagination. Patricia Angeles tells us her story, which begins with a description of her environment and her early interest in books and writing. Then she tells readers about the most influential people in her life, mainly her family, who always supported her. She lived in Manila, Philippines, and after finishing her studies, she emigrated with her family to the United States in search of better opportunities. Here we see her fearlessness in various experiences and jobs, from helping in a clothing store to achieving a great banking career.
Midpoint: A Memoir does more than just recount a dramatic life story. It’s proof that it’s possible to be a successful woman, a great mother, and maintain a willing mind for change. Patricia Angeles is honest in describing that her path through life was not easy. We see it in her anecdotes of youth, maturity, and maternity. However, she teaches readers the value of making their own decisions, celebrating successes, and learning from their mistakes.
Patricia Angeles’ love of reading and writing is evident. The anecdotes are short, varied, engaging, and always convey a lesson. In that aspect, I would have liked a little more description and fuller explanations because I felt the stories sometimes moved quite fast. In general, the book’s formatting is well maintained, with a pleasant presentation and inspiring content. And while this story is appropriate for all audiences, I think a more mature audience will be able to better empathize with and appreciate the immense effort she put out over a lifetime.
Midpoint: A Memoir is perfect for showing people that there are always opportunities for change and growth. Patricia Angeles demonstrates the importance of not giving up and adapting to new opportunities. This is a perfect choice to persuade you to take risks and encourage you to enjoy life. Midpoint: A Memoir is a poignant and inspirational memoir that will motivate you to experience all the things life has to offer.
Pages: 166 | ASIN: B0BJYGDG41
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/12/midpoint-a-memoir/
Dear Dad, by John Hazen, is a story about John Foster, who experiences a significant life change when he moves from ordinary life in a small town to becoming enlisted in the Vietnam war. The author focuses on how war changes the protagonist and reflects on both the Vietnam War, the Second World War, and the Civil War in Tennessee in 1862. John Foster reflects on his experiences, those of his father, and the impact of war on a person’s life and the world.
The author writes in a detailed way, with first-person narration, to give readers a chance to empathize with the protagonist and get more involved in the personal, emotional side of a tragic tale. While the story is centered around war and conflict, the author focuses on the character’s redemption as he lives through difficult experiences, making companions and connections with others while trying to put a brutal past behind him.
This stirring book is deeply personal and shows another side of war, where individuals must deal with the aftermath of what they’ve been through. John addresses his parents in a similarly informal way, which draws more attention to the traumatic impact of war and how it changes a person’s life. I enjoyed the pace of the book and how well the author captured the essence of the theme. It’s an easy book to read and educational for readers interested in the effects of war and personal stories.
Dear Dad, by John Hazen, is a solid read, and I give the book 4 out of 5 stars for its quick but concise style and riveting emotional account. It will capture the readers’ hearts and keep you interested from start to finish. It’s also a great book for anyone interested in stories about the Civil War and Vietnam War.
Pages 303 | ASIN B007SXID7E
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/12/dear-dad-a-novel/
Pinkie the Baby Bird Goes to School by Rose Andria, and Grace Boda is a beautifully illustrated book about a young bird getting ready to start school for the first time. It’s an excellent book for young, school-aged kids and children preparing for kindergarten, which can be an exciting and sometimes stressful experience. The story begins with inquisitive Rose, who is curious about what school will be like when she begins her first day, which allows her to discuss her anticipation with family and friends.
Rose expands her social circle throughout the book as she begins school. She meets her teacher and discovers many students and friends in her tree or community. The more Rose learned, the more she enjoyed making friends, singing, and expanding her knowledge. I found the book easy to read and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a fantastic story for parents and teachers.
The book is written in a way that captures children’s attention, and it’s a great way to make learning fun and less stressful, as many kids may experience at a new school or on their first day. It’s also an excellent introduction for preschool-aged kids, with bright, pastel-painted pictures, which incorporate the importance of education and diversity, getting acquainted with close friends and neighbors, and making new connections.
Pinkie the Baby Bird Goes to School by Rose Andria, and Grace Boda is a brilliant story that captures kids’ attention with a great storyline and illustrations. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for its creativity and a well-written message about the importance of community, inclusivity, and education. It’s a fantastic read for parents with small children and elementary school teachers. I personally found this book held my kids’ attention, and it makes a great addition to your home library or at a school or daycare.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0BJVPRJ3D
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/12/pinkie-the-baby-bird-goes-to-school/
Sophia woke up one morning and decided it was the perfect day to walk outside. She gets ready and puts in her favorite headphones to listen to her music as she heads out for her walk. Dancing away to the music in her ears, she can not hear her mom or friends talking to her and dances right on by them all. On her walk, she trips and drops her music machine breaking it. At first, she is saddened that she can no longer listen to her music, but soon she realizes there are unique sounds and music all around her.
Music of the World by Elizabeth Despres is an inspiring children’s book about all the beautiful sounds that can be found around us each day. When technology is put away for a bit, and you listen to the world around you, you find music and rhythm in all things. Sophia learns that she loves the sounds of nature that she had never noticed before. In addition, she could connect with people she hadn’t heard when listening to her headphones. It is a wonderful message about being present in your world and seeing and hearing all that is around you. With so much technology available to children, it is an excellent reminder of the simple things in life that can still provide joy and entertainment.
The whimsical artwork by Rae West is colorful and engaging. Children will love following Sophia on her walk, pointing out all the exciting sounds she hears, and seeing everything she experiences. The illustrations perfectly express Sophia’s joy and wonder as she discovers the music around her in everyday activities.
Music of the World is a beautifully written picture book that will teach children about the amazing sounds and music in life. It teaches them to look for nature’s beautiful sounds and be present in life and the world around them. This exceptional children’s book would be a wonderful addition to a preschool, elementary school, or home library.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0BKTSWHNG
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/12/music-of-the-world/
Our picks for the best nonfiction of December
Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light
Our picks for the best literature and fiction of December
Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light
Our picks for the best biographies and memoirs of December
Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light