The Reindeer Keeper REVIEW

The Reindeer Keeper by Barbara Briggs Ward

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Abbey senses something special about the little man tending to the reindeer who, along with a century-old farmhouse, a barn full of animals, and fields abounding in woods and pasture, was a gift to Abbey from a stranger. Abbey and her husband, Steve, move in just before the holidays. They have been together since the '60s, eloping when Steve returned from Vietnam. Now with Abbey's cancer in remission, they're looking forward to their boys coming home for Christmas.
Turns out this Christmas proves to be more magical than anticipated as Abbey realizes an understanding never thought possible through the rekindling of a belief rooted in childhood. Of course it's who delivers this gift on Christmas Eve that gives Abbey and Steve the strength to face their greatest challenge. annotation from Goodreads



Abbey's father is left a wonderful gift. He was kind to a stranger and was left a home and the surrounding land. It was stated on the will that after Abbey's father's passing, she would inherit. Shortly after, Abbey's father passes.

Just before the holidays Abbey and her husband, Steve, move in. Their two grown sons and wife for one, significant other for the second, come home for the holiday's.  They have a wonderful holiday together, and Abbey his blessed to have the experience of getting to know the reindeer keeper.  An eccentric little man who is always in the barn, and very, very busy.  She gets to meet a surprise character, seeing that this is a Christmas book, it probably isn't too hard to figure out who he is.

Abbey learns why she has inherited, and rediscovers the magic of Christmas. She needs the joy of believing to sustain her through the trials that are just around the corner.


Abbey is a strong character.  She is the fabric that holds the glue together in her family.  She has a loving relationship with her husband, and she loves her sons.  She wants to help everyone around her, and has a wisdom that is inspirational.  One thing that she does, that I had never considered is:  she clips the obituaries.  She did this for her father, she clipped them and placed them in his file at the Funeral Home, and then clipped copies to give to the families.  She always wondered about the story that came between the birth date and the death date.

Ward has written a truly inspirational book.  It is written well, the characters feel like they are alive.  You feel their pain, you feel their success.  You grow to love the family.  I do not feel that I can give this book enough praise.  It is a book that I will reread.  It may become one of my holiday traditions.  I received a copy for review from the author, I can tell you, I will never give it away.  You will have to get your own!


A remarkable book. I haven't shed tears reading in a while, I cried reading the pages of this book.








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"NO Hope for Gomez" after party invitation.

“Instead of heading for the big mental breakdown,
     I decided to have a little one every Tuesday evening.” -- Gomez Porter

You are cordially invited to Gomez' online after party. It starts right now and runs till December 10th. You'll receive:

- ‘Activated Carbon’ exclusive short story collection
- Making of Gomez: behind the scenes eBook

A kindle will be raffled off. Extra prizes for those who bring friends.

Simply purchase your copy of "No Hope for Gomez!" from Amazon and forward your receipt to nohopeforgomez@gmail.com. Find out the details HERE

REVIEWS -" Betrothed" and "The Christmas Apron"

I finished two books last night!  Ok, Ok, one was very short, but great things can come in small packages.  I should know I am 5 feet short.  :-)



The first book is "Betrothed" by Marti Talbott.  I downloaded this book on my kindle for $2.99.  A great deal.

Against her will, Lady Deora Medwin was betrothed to a powerful but disgusting man. She did not doubt her father loved her dearly, but how could he do such a thing? Deora saw only one option -- RUN!

He was the Highlander, Laird Justin MacGreagor, and when he received ‘the word’ in a message, he was perplexed as well as alarmed. It was a secret word known only to the MacGreagor lairds and the English kings, but the last king to have it was dead. Who had it now and why was Justin being summoned? description from Amazon

"Betrothed" is a clean romance.  I found this author suggested by friends on Goodreads.  I was not disappointed.  Deora finds herself betrothed to three different men.  The irony is that she does not want to be married.    Her father spirits her away to a rendezvous with some Highlanders.  He is trying to protect his daughter from marriage to the first fiancee, who has already killed off two wives.  I gave this book 4 stars.

It's great when you can review a book of one of my personal friends, and like the book.  If I didn't like  it, I think I would pass on the review?  Maybe, I recently told Rachelle that I have a book blog.  That may be the secret, don't tell your author friends you review books if you don't like their work.

I was browsing through a bookstore last week, when I saw that Rachelle was doing a book signing in a couple of weeks with this book advertised.  I did not know at the time that she had another book out. Of course, I grabbed one for me and two to give away  on December 21 & 22 with the Midwinter's Eve hop.  I had Rachelle sign them, didn't wait for the bookstore's signing.

The Christmas Apron follows three generations in a family. It is set during the 1940's. A war is going on, and money is scarce. Millie is the main character and the book is set from her point of view. She overhears that there may not be Christmas gifts for her and her siblings. Despite this fact, she sees her family going about doing good for others and learns what the true spirit of Christmas is. Her grandmother has an heirloom apron, where the children place their Christmas wishes in the pockets. There is a special story behind the apron. A quick and delightful book to read every year to help you get into the Christmas spirit.

I gave it four stars.


REVIEW "Once in a Full Moon"

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I'm torn on my rating. 3 or 4 stars? I rounded up. 



Celeste lives in a town that has a snobby East side and a West side. She lives on the East side, but doesn't judge by by economic circumstances.  She doesn't see the world in only shades of black and white, she doesn't live her life to fit in, but to stand out.  She volunteers in a nursing home, because she enjoys it. Her friends won't come with her, She does it because she wants to and it is the right thing to do. She belongs to a tight group of friends. Her two best friends are girlfriends with her boyfriend's best friends. Something is missing for Celeste, she is unsure of her feelings concerning her boyfriend.

Then a handsome new West sider moves in. He has beautiful blue eyes and Celeste is drawn to him.  She feels that she needs to keep her feelings a secret, she does not want to alienate her friends.  She does break up with her boyfriend however.

Under the full moon everything changes.

My thoughts on this book.  It is a fun read, this is one that you can sit back and relax, enjoy, plan on being entertained, and get lost in the pages.  It is not astounding.  It is not going to change the world.  It follows in the footsteps of the paranormal YA fiction that is popular.  Girl falls in love with the wrong boy, boy has a secret, girl keeps his secret, secret meetings, etc.

It probably is a 3 1/2 rating.  I downloaded this title as a galley from Netgalley.

Publication date is 12/28/10.



View all my reviews Here is the book description from Goodreads:

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.
Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.
Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

Winners of "Awakened" Swag

The winners have been chosen.  The swag winners for Edna Walters "Awakened" are:

Winner #1 - mouse pad and signed  bookmark - Kulsuma

Winner #2 - ball point pen and signed bookmark - .Ambur.

I have emailed the winners letting them know and will be getting them out shortly.

Congrats, and thanks to all who entered.

Graham Parke is Celebrating "No Hope for Gomez"

Graham Parke is having a celebration for the one year anniversary of handing in his final proofs.  To celebrate, he is having a party!  Buy a copy today  (December 2nd) of "No Hope for Gomez" from Amazon and you can be entered to win some fabulous prizes.  Head on over to http://www.grahamparke.blogspot.com/ for all of the details.  Here is a part of an email sent to me today  - "The party is in full swing right now. Feel free to grab some party hats, some drinks from the virtual tables ;)

Grand Prizes include an ipod and kindle.

Reminder and Review

I want to send out a reminder that my swag giveaway for "Awakened" by Ednah Walters ends tomorrow, December 3rd at 11:59pm MST.  There will be two winners.  Winner #1 will receive an "Awakened" mouse pad and signed bookmark.  As a bonus I am adding a "Thirteenth Chime" bookmark.  Winner #2 will win a pen and signed bookmark and will also get a "Thirteenth Chime" bookmark.

Just as a heads up, I am currently reading a heartwarming Christmas book, "The Reindeer Keeper: Believe Again..." by Barbara Briggs Ward.  I  am about half way through and I really like it.  It will help you get into the spirit of Christmas.  A full review will be coming soon.

And now for a quick review.  I entered a contest on I am a Reader, Not a Writer.  One of the requirements was to go to Smashwords and download a copy of  a very short book of short stories.  It is a quick and fantastic read.

It is "Water and other Stories" by Daron D. Fraley.  I gave it 5 stars. If you want to download a fantastic book that you can read while waiting at the Dr.'s office.  This is a good choice.  It is free at Smashwords, and they have many different formats.  I would highly suggest going to the website and seeing what other books may interest you.  Here is the direct link to "Water" : http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/23330
"Water" is an inspirational read.  The first story is of a homeless man begging on the street corner.  The author takes us into his past and the events that brought him to where he is.  It is incredible, and a reminder to not judge others, you don't know where they have been.

The second story takes place on another planet.  A young boy visits his shepherding friend and is asked to stay and take care of the sheep while the shepherd goes on a journey.  The boy must learn to forgive himself for circumstances beyond his control.  It also is  twist on the Christmas story.

The third is of a disable man sitting at the edge of the waters in Jerusalem waiting to be healed.  He struggles to be the first in the water, but he doesn't have anyone there to help him.  This is a biblical story and is a story of compassion.

If you are interested in entering the giveaway at I am a Reader, Not a Writer here is the link. http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2010/11/interview-book-giveaway-author-daron.html  The giveaway ends on December 15th.

Review of "The Christmas Brides"

The Christmas Brides by Linda Lael Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A McKettrick Christmas
Lizzie McKettrick is on a homebound train with a Christmas Eve surprise for her family—a special young man, Whitley Carson. He might seem a little too interested in the McKettrick money, but Lizzie’s certain Whitley cares for her deep down. But fate has a surprise for Lizzie—Dr. Morgan Shane. When their train is stranded by a massive avalanche on Christmas Eve the handsome doctor takes charge—with Lizzie by his side. Time’s running out for the passengers. But with faith, hard work and some unexpected help, it just might be a joyous McKettrick family Christmas after all...
A Creed Country Christmas
In the Montana wilderness of 1910, Lincoln Creed is up against more than rustlers, wolves and winter storms. His young daughter, Gracie, has needs beyond the beans and bacon he can barely cook. The widowed rancher must find Gracie a suitable governess who won’t set her sights on him. Disowned for her refusal to marry, the young schoolteacher Juliana Mitchell seems like a perfect fit in the Creed home. As she gets to know Lincoln and Gracie, Juliana suddenly doesn’t feel so strongly against marriage after all. In the season of miracles, Providence just might find a way to bring these souls together in a wonderful Christmas blessing.  Description from Netgalley

This book is made up of two stories,both are historical romance. The first is "A McKettrick Christmas." Lizzie McKettrick is headed home on a train for the holidays, she is bringin home the man that she believes she wishes to marry. As fate would have it they are stuck in an avelanche and are in dire circumstances. There is a handsome Dr. on the train. Her hoped for soon fiancee and the Dr show their true colors leaving her with a choice to make.

The second is "A Creed Country Christmas." Juliana is a teacher at a local indian school. The school has been sold to a neighboring rancher, leaving Juliana with a difficult decision. She loves and takes care of four of the students, which could lead to big problems for her legally. A handsome rancher steps in to help her out.


Both stories are fun and full of the Spirit of Christmas.

I have never read a book by this author.  I gather that the McKettrick's are a family that she has written about in the past.  I picked up easily on the family relationships and found the book very easy to read.  There are a few "amazing" visitiations.  Content in this story is appropriate for a conservative reader.  The second story however, while not blatant, has some content that a conservative reader may have a bit of a problem with.  This is an adult book.



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