Thursday, September 18, 2008

I Hate Seagull Book!

I have this problem. When I'm feeling stressed, I need to treat myself. In my town, there is a Seagull Book and a Wal-Mart right across the street from each other. As I head for a treat, I have to make a choice. I can turn right to Wal-Mart and get some chocolate. Or I can turn left to Seagull and get myself a book. Wal-Mart and the chocolate usually wins because 1) they're cheaper, and 2) chocolate gets into my blood stream and changes my mood faster than a book does.

But today, I was feeling guilty because my Wii Fit says I'm up 2.2 lbs this week and I know it's because I've been eating way too much chocolate. So I turned left.

Never mind that I can't afford a new book and I should spend that $15 on paying down business debt.

Never mind that I already have 40 books on my dresser waiting their turn to be read.

Never mind that I don't have time to read right now.

I was going to get myself a new book, gosh darn it!

But I would be responsible in my irresponsibility—I would limit myself to just one.

Then I walked into Seagull and the stress level just exploded because now I had to make a choice. There were all these books that I wanted to read and they were just sitting on the Seagull shelves, mocking me with their bright yellow percent off labels.

Which one do I get?


Do I go for David Woolley's new book, Day of Remembrance? (He won't let Sandra loan it to me, the brat.) I already own volumes 1 & 2. They're sitting on my dresser waiting to be read. And volume 3 is on sale too, but it's in paperback and all my other volumes would be hardback. Hmmmn. . .





Or do I get The Nephite Who Loved Me (currently mistitled as Servant to a King) by Sariah Wilson? I liked her first two books, Secrets in Zarahemla and Desires of Our Hearts, even if they do have a larger dollop of romance than I'll admit to liking. I forgive her because her heroines are feisty and don't put up with anything, even if they are married to prophets.



Do I get Farworld by J. Scott Savage, which I've already read? (Thanks for the ARC, J. Scott.) I really want the hardback copy with the map and illustrations in it because I want it to be available to my grandchildren (now ages 2, 1 & 10 mos.). But if I get a book I've already read today, that won't really satisfy my need to treat myself.






Or do I get Don't Cry Wolf by Clair M. Poulsen? I don't know anything about it but it has a really cool cover and the back liner notes sound interesting. I've read a few of his other books and liked them. Maybe if this one was about werewolves, instead of regular wolves. . .



Or do I get . . . Arrggg!!! Enough, already!


So I gave the saleslady at Seagull a full-on crusty and told her that I hated her store with its crowded bookshelves and mocking yellow discount stickers. She laughed, then rang me up and I walked out with . . .


Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack. Because Josi never disappoints. And we have our home mortgage with Countrywide. (Miss the news report? Click here.) But most especially, I picked this one because I wish I had a pair of gold shoes like the ones on the cover. Not that I could actually wear them, what with me being very old and having a bad back. But still. They would look lovely on my feet now that I wear sandals again.



Then, to help deal with the stress of leaving so many other wonderful titles on the shelf, I went over to Wal-Mart and got some chocolate.



© 2010 It's a Book Affair

Friday, September 12, 2008

The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson


The Santa Letters
by Stacy Gooch-Anderson

General/Christmas
190 pages, hardcover
Target Reader: Adult

Sweetwater Books
978-1599551456
Release Date: July 8, 2008



From the publisher:
One year ago on Christmas Eve, William died.

For Emma, the hit-and-run driver killed more than her husband—he killed her joy in life itself.

Now, as Christmas again approaches, Emma Jensen finds herself sinking into a depression that nothing can breach; not her job, not her love for her children, and certainly not the season!

Money is tight, emotions taut, and those realities are magnified tenfold by knowing that this year Christmas will be a meager, empty, and painful experience. Only six-year-old McKenna believes in miracles and the magic of Christmas. The rest of the family knows that Christmas can never be the same.

But when a mysterious package and an ornate letter arrive on the doorstep, things begin to change.

Each day, a package and a letter signed “Santa” arrive for the family, and together they come to understand that the joy of Christmas does not have to be lost forever and that God’s love can heal any wound, . . . no matter how deep.

The Santa Letters will take the Jensens on a journey through a Christmas experience that will have the power to heal them all.

Read a sample from The Santa Letters here or here.

I haven't had this same experience, but I did find myself in dire need one Christmas season. Secret Santas left several gifts of love and support and kindness—and toys for my children!—on our doorstep that year. I can tell you that the feelings and emotions described in this book are right on with my own.

I have a secret. I love Christmas stories—the kind that make you cry. I get at least one new Christmas book every year. Usually it's a picture book because—well, just because. But I also like Christmas novellas, like The Christmas Box and The Christmas Wish. So I was thrilled to be asked to review The Santa Letters.

I loved this book. It's a quick read—only 200 pages. I cried as I read it and I could feel my heart growing with that special Christmas spirit. This is definitely the Christmas book for 2008 at my house. I know a few people who will be getting it for Christmas this year.

If you're feeling the Christmas spirit (and if you're not, that's okay—you've got a few months to get in the mood), and you want to help spread the joy and cheer with a struggling family—or your own—Stacy has downloadable Santa letters and gift ideas that are free for you to use here.

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Content Ratings

Language: No swearing.

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© 2010 It's a Book Affair