Giveaway: 8 by Michael Mullin

by Carol7 Comments
Great news! Remember the fairy tale re-telling I talked about yesterday, 8 by Michael Mullin? I loved it, and now I've got one e-book to give away. Here's the synopsis: This is the previously untold story of the previously unknown 8th dwarf, named Creepy. He was banished to the basement for being different and , well, weird. Yet he played a vital - and of course previously unknown - role in the popular tale of Snow White (whose title character is an intruder Creepy refers to as "the Maid"). It's hilarious and a quick read. Interested? I'm giving away one e-book copy of 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf by Michael Mullin. The giveaway is open internationally. To enter, just fill in the form below by January 20. I'll give up to two extra entries, one for "liking" the facebook page and one for leaving a comment telling us your favorite fairy tale. I will announce the winner on...
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Thursday’s Tale: 8 by Michael Mullin

by Carol9 Comments
Snow White is an already an odd fairy tale. You've got a young girl doing housework for a bunch of dwarfs while an evil Queen tries to kill her. But Michael Mullin takes it one step further in 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf, and it's downright funny. The stories we pass down from parent to child Were once filled with darkness, but somehow turned mild. We tweak and revise, and when all else fails We choose to omit certain crucial details. Until they're forgotten, and nobody knows How a story originally, truthfully goes. Told entirely in verse, this is the story of Creepy, the eighth dwarf who was banished to the cellar. From there, he has an unusual vantage point when Snow White arrives, looking straight up her skirt. But it is only thanks to him that the rather dim-witted young woman is saved from the Queen's evil intentions. It's a hilarious short story, but definitely aimed at adults, not children, due to...
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Review: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce and Laura Geringer

by Carol3 Comments
Ever wonder who Santa was before he was Santa? He was a bandit, talented no doubt, but a thief and treasure hunter nonetheless. Nicholas St. North was his name, and he was only concerned about himself until the fateful day he ended up in the village of Santoff Claussen. He expected to find treasure, but instead he found a village terrorized by Pitch, an ancient evil, and his Fearlings, rulers of the night, bringers of nightmares. Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce and Laura Geringer tells how Nicholas grew from being a self-centered man to the caring, magical person who will one day be Santa. We follow him and his mentor, a great wizard, and a young girl named Katherine as they fight to protect the children of the world. I read this one aloud with Amber (11) during December. She made sure to tell me that if I review it to say she liked...
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Mailbox Monday

by Carol15 Comments
It's the first Monday of a new year!! Hope 2012 is starting out great for all of you! Mailbox Monday this month is hosted by Alyce at At Home with Books. Head over there to see what other received and to share your own goodies. I received a bunch of books throughout the month of December, but none were actually under the tree. The Landlord's Black-Eyed Daughter by Mary Ellen Dennis (Won at Tif Talks Books. Thanks, Tif!) The Borrowers by Mary Norton (Thanks, Tif!) The Secret of the Sacred Scarab by Fiona Ingram (For a Pump Up Your Book! Blog Tour) Graveminder by Melissa Marr (From Harper Collins) Sleigh Ride: A Winter Anthology (Won from Booking Mama. Thanks, Julie and author, Malena Lott!) Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo (ARC from Random House) Strange Flesh by Michael Olson (ARC from Simon and Schuster) A Cold Creek Secret by RaeAnn Thayne (From Harlequin Ambassadors) Cinder by Marissa Meyer (ARC from Feiwel and Friends) Dakota Christmas by Joseph Button (Purchased) Broken Resolutions by Cheryl...
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Happy New Year

by Carol6 Comments
Amber said she'd draw me a special New Year picture, but she ran out of time, so I decided to post her most recent dragon drawing. So far it's a rainy, cold New Year's Day. And it just doesn't feel like New Years without the Tournaent of Roses parade or having the guys hanging out watching the Winter Classic. Mom's coming over for dinner, though, so I need to go clean-up from last night and start cooking....
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Feast of the Seven Fishes

by Carol8 Comments
A while ago I posted a bucket list of things I wanted to do/see/learn. One of those was celebrating Christmas Eve with a Feast of the Seven Fishes. We are neither Italian nor Catholic, but my family was great about going along with the idea, so we had seven fishes on Christmas Eve this year. I have to thank my brother for doing most of the cooking. Our seven fish dishes certainly tasted good, but, man, was I stuffed. Crab Dip Seafood salad Cioppino Oysters, Brussel Sprouts and Pancetta Gratin Baked Cod Linguini with Clam Sauce Fried smelts And we had cookies for dessert, of course. I think my favorite dish was the linguini. Clam Sauce with Linguini Serves 4 Ingredients 1 (16 ounce) package linguine pasta 1/2 cup butter 3 cloves chopped garlic 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced 2 (6.5 ounce) cans chopped clams with juice 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Directions Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to...
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