Thursday’s Tale: The Legend of the Poinsettia

by Carol4 Comments
Another Christmas story today, this time from Mexico. There was once a poor Mexican girl called Pepita who had no present to give the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked to the chapel, sadly, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up. 'Pepita', he said "I'm sure that even the smallest gift, given by someone who loves him will make Jesus Happy." Pepita didn't know what she could give, so she picked a small handful of weeds from the roadside and made them into a small bouquet. She felt embarrassed because she could only give this small present to Jesus. As she walked through the chapel to the altar, she remembered what Pedro had said. She began to feel better, knelt down and put the bouquet at the bottom of the nativity scene. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into bright red flowers, the first poinsettia, and everyone who saw them were sure they had seen a miracle....
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Audiobook Review: Harmless by Ernie Lindsey

by Carol3 Comments
Title: Harmless Author: Ernie Lindsey Read by: DJ Holte Category: Mystery Audio published: Nov 13, 2013 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Add: Goodreads Purchase: Audible | Amazon There's someone for everyone...even Steve. Steve Pendragon is an eccentric (and sometimes delusional) used car salesman in love with Kerry, the quiet, secretive girl next door--only she doesn't know it. When the would-be love of his life turns up dead, all signs point to Steve. When the detectives hit a dead-end in their investigation and he becomes the prime suspect, Steve is left with only a reluctant police officer and a crooked private investigator to help him prove his innocence. Could a kindhearted homeless woman and a cryptic note in Kerry's diary provide the key to the mystery I have to thank the audiobook's reader, DJ Holte for asking if I was interested in reviewing Harmless, otherwise it's probably not a book that would have come across my radar, but it was a really good, unique read. The story's told in the first person by Steve...
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At the Movies: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

by Carol10 Comments
Title: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (The Hobbit #2) Director: Peter Jackson Writers: J.R.R. Tolkien, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro, and Peter Jackson In theaters: December 13, 2013 from Warner Brothers Genre: Fantasy, Action-Adventure Rating: PG-13 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars The film continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company continues East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous Mirkwood Forest.After escaping capture by the dangerous Woodland Elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all — a creature more terrifying than any before, which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom...
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Review: The Grumpy Shepherd by Paddie Devon

by Carol2 Comments
Title: The Grumpy Shepherd Author: Paddie Devon Category: Picture Book - Christmas Published: Nov 1, 1995 by Abingdon Press Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Add: Goodreads Purchase: Amazon Joram was often grumpy. 'Same old thing every night...Stupid sheep...boring, boring!' Even when an angel brought great news of the birth of the King, Joram could not believe it was true. But when he went to the stable, something amazing happened to grumpy Joram. Joram the shepherd is just grumpy. Not mean, but far from happy and friendly. He'd rather nap than join in the conversation around the campfire. Then, one night, an angel shows up. Of course he's afraid, all the shepherds are, but the angel tells them not to be scared. He tells them about the miracle happening right nearby, that the King everyone has been waiting for, the Savior, has been born. The shepherds rush off to see the new King, with Joram pulling up the read, uncertain he wants to bother. Seeing Jesus, transforms him. He...
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Thursday’s Tale: The Legend of the Christmas Robin

by Carol6 Comments
How about a Christmas story today? "The Legend of the Christmas Robin" reminds me a little of the hymn we never sing at church, "The Friendly Beasts," which tells of all the animals' gifts to Baby Jesus. This story tells of the robin's gift. That first Christmas night was extremely cold and a breeze blew constantly into the stable where Mary lay with her baby, Jesus. The fire in the stable, the only source of heat, was about to go out and all that Mary could do was call the surrounding animals for help. She asked the sleeping ox, lazy donkey, horse and the sheep, but they were either of no use or just refused to help. Suddenly, Mary heard the flapping sound of wings. A robin had heard Mary's cry for help and had flown to the stable to help her out. The robin flapped his wings hard at the dying embers until the fire was rekindled and became bright red. He...
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Spotlight: Really, a Worst Case Scenario by B. P. Noland

by Carol2 Comments
About Really, A Worst Case Scenario: Mayor Ron Steadman of Centerville, New Mexico, is ready for reelection. The campaign has been running smoothly, no question. No opponent stands a chance against this powerful community leader. The election is only a month away, and the desert skies couldn’t be bluer—that is until there’s a murder, and Ron’s wife, Val, becomes the prime suspect. Valarie Steadman is a scientist and university laboratory director for stem cell research, but she’s not a murderer. Someone has set her up, but she wonders whether the perpetrator is out to ruin her—or her husband. She enlists the help of lab assistant Steve Janson to help her solve the crime and clear her name. Meanwhile, the mayor—who happens to be an ex-FBI agent—joins forces with the local homicide detective, Joe Maxwell, to do a little investigation of his own. Soon, Ron and Joe find themselves near the border of Mexico, where a drug cartel that might be tied to the...
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