Reindeer Dust by Kate Dwyer

by Carol4 Comments
Christmas is my favorite time of year - even if I hate the cold. So today, as part of A Month of Favorites, I thought I'd share a review of a new Christmas picture book I received this year. A Month of Favorites is hosted by Girlxoxo, Traveling with T and Estella’s Revenge. Today we’re linking up at Estella’s Revenge. When Amber was little, we always put out milk and cookies for Santa, but she's always been an animal lover, so we couldn't forget about the reindeer. They got carrots, but I bet they would have preferred reindeer dust. This is a cute story. Santa's got so many presents to deliver that he doesn't have time to feed his reindeer and, to make matters worse, it's a foggy night. Happily, William has been watching the weather reports and comes up with a plan to help Santa find his and his friends' houses - reindeer dust. Don't worry, the recipe's included in the book. I...
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#AMonthof Faves: Picking Favorites

by Carol1 Comment
It's been another great week of favorites, thanks to Girlxoxo, Traveling with T and Estella’s Revenge. Today we're linking up at Estella’s Revenge. I loved reading the posts this week, but I didn't realize how many things this month was going to add to my wish lists.  Here's a couple of things I added this week; I may have to buy myself some after Christmas presents. I added Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown to my to-read list thanks to Andi at Estella's Revenge. It's one of her top ten twelve of the year. Leah at Books Speak Volumes has convinced me I need a blanket scarf, thanks to her Winter Survival Essentials list. A cute plaid one would be perfect, and a new warm coat to go with it. One post I really enjoyed that didn't make me want to spend money was Traveling with T's Evanovich vs Evanovich. I'm definitely in the Fox and O'Hare camp. What about you? Any "favorites" that grabbed your eye...
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Character Guest Post: Riella from Tom Stacey’s Exile

by CarolNo Comments
I'm happy to welcome Riella to my notebook today. Riella is a character in Tom Stacey's Exile and she's got a lot to say about women in historical fantasy. I should have my review of the book up soon. From Riella Historical fantasy used to be something only men did. Only men wrote it or only men read it or only men enjoyed it. It used to be that women were relegated to helpless perfumed maidens in castle towers or filthy old hags that had only wisdom and stink to offer. Sure, sometimes we were allowed to fight: we got given elegant looking blades and revealing armour that was more likely to kill you through cold than stop a blade. If we were allowed to stand up for ourselves at all it was only on their terms, as objects for them to gawk at. Perhaps more men do read historical fantasy than women. After all, they’ve always been obsessed with maiming and killing,...
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#AMonthofFaves: 5 Must-Haves for Winter Survival (Bookish or Not)

by Carol6 Comments
A Month of Favorites is hosted by hosted by Girlxoxo, Traveling with T and Estella’s Revenge. Today we're linking up over at Traveling with T. Winter must-haves for me are all about warmth. 1. Hot chocolate, preferably with marshmallows 2. Fingerless gloves that I can wear inside 3. Fuzzy slippers 4. Flannel sheets 5. A soft blanket to cuddle up under, hopefully with a good book What is something you can't live without when the weather turns cold?...
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Thursday’s Tale: The Advent Flibbertigibbet

by Carol2 Comments
Usually I share Christmassy tales in December, and most of them are happy, with good winning over evil, or a warm tale connected to the Nativity. Today's is an odd one,  but it does take place during Advent. On the mountain road to Haenlein, but also in the area around Lorsch, people called the ignis fatuous or phosphorescent lights that could be seen there flibbertigibbets. Purportedly they only appeared during Advent and a rhyme was composed about them: “Flibbertigibbet, ho, ho, Burn like straw, oh, oh, Strike me like lightening if you will! Flibbertigibbet wisp-o-will!” Many years ago a young girl saw a flibbertigibbet in the evening and recited the old rhyme. But the flibbertigibbet ran after the girl pursuing her into the house of her parents. It followed quick on her heels and entered the room at the very same time that she did. It struck all the people assembled there with its fiery wings so that from that time forward her...
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