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Poetry To Ponder
Poetry To Ponder: Spread The News!-There’s A Reason for Singing by Joy Walker is a thought-provoking and heartwarming collection of poems, songs, prayers, and descriptions that provide a unique perspective on the Christmas season. This book serves as a personal devotion and spiritual revival and encourages readers to examine themselves and their relationship with God. Through the story of Christmas and the birth of Christ, readers will find that they are forming a deeper relationship with God. With a touch of vulnerability and personal stories, Walker’s poems capture the essence of humanity in all its frailty and need of a savior.
I found this book to be uplifting and a joy to read. Walker is proud of her faith, and her collection will be a great encouragement for those who are looking to walk in the confidence of their beliefs and convictions. Her contemporary writing style makes the story of Christmas fresh and fascinating, and her empathy and understanding will resonate with readers who may feel otherwise.
Poetry To Ponder is a treasure to read, providing many meditative readings for individuals seeking personal devotion, revival, and spiritual artistry. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to grow in faith, hope, devotion, understanding, humility, boldness, and love. While this collection would be especially moving when read during the anticipation of the Christmas season, it can be read at any time and still provoke a stirring of the heart.
Pages: 156 | ASIN : B0BQWZS3Q9
Journey Through Grief
A Hamburger Christmas follows two charismatic detectives who are investigating a series of burglaries happening around Christmas time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This novella is a prequel to my detective series. Since it’s a Christmas story, I wanted it to have a heart-warming and touching message behind it. I thought it would be perfect to tell the story of one of the detective’s journey through grief. As he experiences his first Christmas without a loved one, his friendship with his partner will help him through it. They have a close relationship and this story allowed me to reveal more about their tight bond.
While Christmas is a special time for most it’s also a hard time for others, and this novella shows how the people you love can be your lifeline.
Some of the characters experience a change of heart during the story. What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
Two other characters in the story are struggling teenage brothers who are being manipulated by an unscrupulous gangster who is using them for his own gain. The brothers’ relationship closely mirrors the relationship between the detectives because the teenagers are also struggling with grief. I wanted to explore the bonds between them from both sides of the law.
When the detectives come to terms with their situation with the teenage burglars, they have to decide how far they’re willing to go to capture the boys and at what point does compassion affect their decision when there’s a chance to help them?
When someone breaks the law and threatens your life, do they deserve a second chance?
How did you decide on the title of this novella?
There’s a story from one of the detectives about a lousy Christmas from his past. His father lets him down, and trying to cheer her son up, his mom makes hamburgers, and they call it their Hamburger Christmas. What happens during that Christmas and the gifts they exchange play a role in the unfolding of the novella and it makes for a perfect title.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in the next book and when the novel will be available?
This prequal novella leads into the Detectives Daniels and Remalla series. This is a six-book series that starts with Haunted River. I like throwing a little supernatural into my books, so they are all mystery-thrillers with a dash of the unexpected. The detectives face a ghost or two and a murderer in Haunted River and will confront an evil, charismatic cult leader whose fascination with living forever and the paranormal will kick off a five-book storyline that will threaten Daniels’ and Remalla’s friendship and lives.
There is also a four-book series called The Family or Foe Saga with Detectives Daniels and Remalla. This precedes the detective series and can also be read after A Hamburger Christmas. It focuses on three unique siblings with strange backgrounds whose connections lead them to work with Daniels and Remalla. They’ll discover the truth about a revenge-seeking killer with dangerous abilities who plans to destroy them all.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Coping with the loss of a loved one, Detective Aaron Remalla faces a difficult Christmas. Despite his partner Detective Gordon Daniels’ attempts to cajole him into spending Christmas together, Remalla makes other plans. But when the holiday turns deadly and Remalla finds himself at the mercy of thieves, he and his adversaries will learn that sometimes the magic of Christmas means relying on those you love, whether they’re alive…or not.
Sometimes, no matter how hard life may seem, the greatest losses can offer the greatest blessings.
If you enjoy an engaging mystery thriller, a close partnership between two bantering detectives, a sprinkle of supernatural suspense and a heartwarming story that might prompt a tear or two, then discover Detectives Daniels and Remalla in this prequel novella and enjoy their Hamburger Christmas.
Other Books in the Detectives Daniels and Remalla Series
Haunted River
Of Breath and Blood
Of Body and Bone
Of Mind and Madness
Of Power and Pain
Of Love and Loss
The Family or Foe Saga with Detectives Daniels and Remalla
First Cut
Second Slice
Third Blow
Fourth Strike
The Family or Foe Saga Boxed Set
Follow J.T. Bishop’s Amazon’s author page to be notified of new releases.
I Never Forgot That Little Tree
Needles, the Forgotten Christmas Tree tells the story of a small tree who wants to bring holiday joy to a family but must persevere in order to find the right family for him. What was the inspiration for the setup of your children’s book?
It’s actually based upon a real-life experience. When I was 14 a Christmas tree was delivered to our home by a business associate of my dad’s. It was a small tree, a little scraggly, but not a bad specimen. The problem was that we had already decorated a tree in the house. We tried to find someone to take the extra tree, but couldn’t find anyone, so that little tree sat on the side of the house for the entire holiday period. I felt so sorry for that little tree. I always wondered what might have been. It could have made someone very happy. I never forgot that little tree, and for many, many years I wanted to write a story based on that experience. Finally, I did.
The illustrations in this book are beautiful. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Sydni Kruger?
Frankly, I didn’t know it would be so hard to find a good illustrator. I had over twenty illustrators do test drawings before I settled on Sydni Kruger. Every one of them drew differently. It was amazing, yet frustrating, as I had distinct ideas on what I wanted. I did not want a cartoon-type book. I wanted Needles to be a real tree, and the characters to look normal. I also wanted rich colors. Sydni started out with a darker complexion in the drawings due to the “forgotten” tone of the book. I felt that as a children’s book, it should be brighter in nature and have a more positive feel. This, I think, Sydni nailed, and I also think the illustrations capture the essence of the story in a somewhat elegant fashion.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There are several teachable concepts. First and foremost, in life one must persevere and never give up on dreams, hopes, and life itself. Second, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Emily adores Needles. Needles adores Emily. Neither is perfect, but so what? Life is not perfect, and we all have our own challenges. Third, it is good to have dreams and positive thoughts about what you want in life. However, it may take determination and steadfastness to get there.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I want to see how this book does before launching into a new story. So far, the reception for Needles has been wonderful. I could see more adventures for Needles, and I have other ideas that are history related for children. We’ll see.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Teddy Bears Need To Talk
Christmas Land follows a young girl who wakes up in a magical land filled with talking animals to go on an adventure to save the kingdom. What was the inspiration for your story?
It was very late one night. It was late November or early December. My daughter was in bed with us and wanted me to tell her story before bed, and it needed to feature her favorite stuffy “Pink Teddy” and our matching necklaces. I started my story, and in that instance, I knew I wanted real-life elements and magical beings. Moments before, we talked about how much we loved Christmas, the feeling you get, how everyone is friendly, and how everything feels possible around Christmas. I knew I wanted our story to take place where things felt possible. My daughter loves cupcakes and was instrumental in adding them throughout the story. For me, it’s all about the peppermint and what the smell can invoke around the holidays. (Davina) Don’t forget teddy bears need to talk!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Eleonora Cali?
Eleonora is amazing. The first time she read through the story and sent me her outline, she immediately visualized the characters as they had been in our minds. She is based in Italy, and I loved how she was always there to answer questions and didn’t mind when a six-year-old provided suggestions or improvements. She is a very accomplished illustrator.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
When we read or watch a movie, when a problem arises, the immediate response is to fight, hit, and inflict damage. We wanted the character to solve problems without fighting a war. We wanted an intelligent, caring leader who solved problems but enjoyed life a long way and thought about others. I knew I wanted something where that was different.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
We are working on Christmas Land 2 and hope it will be available by next September.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Enjoy a visit to Christmas Land any time of year, for it’s not a seasonal place, but one where you can find the Christmas feeling year round.
A Dream Adventure
Sled With Me takes readers on a dream adventure to the North Pole where they meet a variety of holiday characters in a fun rhyming picture book. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to create a fun book about Santa’s workshop and the North Pole that didn’t necessarily have to be just for the Christmas season. I wanted it to be a dream adventure you could take anytime of the year filled with wonder and interesting things to discover. With my illustrator’s help, I believe we accomplished this goal.
The art in this book is cute and colorful. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Tamara Piper?
Terrific, Tarmara and I make a great team. I give her total control, initially, over the illustrations. She prepares the first draft of sketches and if there is something I feel is off base, we discuss and adjust if needed before going onto the colour phase. In most cases, I love how she interputes my words and helps bring them to life. I believe it’s best when the writting is left to me, and the creative process of bring the story to life through pictures is left to her. Sled With Me is the fourth project we’ve worked on together. Two more are already in the works.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun creating?
I think the first scene inside the workshop is the most fun. There is so much to see. Kids should have a blast looking at all the details and trying to spot the different elements within the illustrations.
What can readers expect in the next book in the Wherever Shall We Go Series?
The next book in this series, which is already being illustrated, is a dream adventure to the jungle. There will be so many animals, plants and birds to discover. After the jungle book is released, a dream adventure to the forest will come next. Both of these series books will be released in 2023.
Author Links: Facebook | Amazon
You don’t have to wait for Christmas! The North Pole is a fun and exciting place to visit anytime of the year. This special book is part of the Wherever Shall We Go Series and it makes a terrific gift for little girls (boy edition also available). Tonight, you and your child will meet in your dreams and set off on a magical sled towards the North Pole. There, you will meet Santa, and his reindeer, Mrs. Clause, and the friendliest elves.
Sled With Me is a sweet Christmas bedtime story to help children prepare for sleep. It ends with a loving message from the reader to the child which helps to bring their day to a close as it softly lulls them into sleep.
Like the other books in this children’s bedtime story series, Sled With Me is a promise from the reader to the child to meet them in their dreams, so that together, a wonderful adventure can be experienced.
Beautiful illustrations and a delightful rhyming story await. So, go ahead and grab a copy of this children’s Christmas book, because everyone at the North Pole is waiting to greet you.
This is the mother and daughter edition of Sled With Me. It is the perfect bedtime story for moms to share with their little girls, or grandmothers to share with their granddaughters. A mother and son edition can be found separately by searching this title.
Don’t forget to follow this author and be on the lookout for other books in this series. You never know where the next adventure will take you.
Sled With Me by Sharon Purtill is the perfect Christmas story book for kids 2-4 3-5 or even 4-6 years old.
Christmas For The Cowboy
If you are looking for a cozy feel-good novel for the holiday season, Christmas For The Cowboy by C.H. Eryl is for you. This holiday romance has all the special ingredients needed for a Hallmark Christmas movie. First, we have Rowdy, a now famous bronc rider, who left the town of Clover Spring ten years ago. We also have Dee, a strong and independent real estate agent who doesn’t let a man slow her down. But when Rowdy returns to town, Dee suddenly remembers what love felt like all those years ago. From heart-wrenching subplots to adorable romances, Christmas For The Cowboy is a must-read this Christmas season.
Christmas For The Cowboy is a simple feel-good romance that touches on subjects we have all gone through. However, this is an emotionally-charged melodrama that doesn’t try to be anything more than a cozy romance. Ultimately, it wraps it up in a cute little holiday bow. With this, I felt that grief was one of this story’s central themes, and it was handled with grace.
I enjoyed the relationship between Dakota and Rowdy, but I would have enjoyed their banter more if the dialogue had been a bit deeper and more flowing. Rowdy’s love for his profession is evident, and I enjoyed that dimension of his character, as I felt it is a unique one within the romance genre, but I would have loved to have dived a little deeper into that. I can understand why things are kept at a surface level, though; this ensures readers that are not familiar with it can understand what he’s talking about, so don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert to follow along. Dee is also a strong character, and I think she brought a good balance to the story. Setting aside a few clichés, because what romance novel doesn’t have them, I think her character fits the archetype nicely, and long-time fans of the romance genre will feel at home with her character. Finally, rowdy’s parents were lovable side characters; it would be nice to read a story just about them and their young romance. I could see it being like Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook.
I enjoyed Christmas For The Cowboy and would recommend it to readers looking for a light romance novel to get them into the Christmas spirit. It’s the perfect love story for curling up with a cup of hot chocolate and spending an afternoon by the fire.
Pages: 225 | ASIN: B0BDBFK24R
Needles, the Forgotten Christmas Tree
Needles is a wispy little Christmas tree with high hopes for the holiday. He’s so eager to get to the Christmas tree lot to fulfill his dream of being a beautiful Christmas tree that brings joy to people. Unfortunately for Needles, no one wants a lean tree. Will Needles find the perfect family, one that will cherish him? Find out in Needles, the Forgotten Christmas Tree.
Author Richard Wagner has created a charming Christmas picture book that will inspire children to never give up hope. This is also a highly relatable story as well. I’m sure that many people have gone to the tree lot looking for a big beautiful tree, snickering or ignoring the small meager trees. This beautiful book sheds light on those lonely trees, and will certainly make you want to buy one for yourself.
The illustrations by Sydni Kruger are absolutely gorgeous. Each page is illustrated from edge to edge. Each piece looks like it could have been painted by Bob Ross. I was especially drawn to the scene where Emily finds Needles on the side of the road. The deep purples on this page really set the mood.
Needles, the Forgotten Christmas Tree is an inspiring children’s book that is filled with vibrant illustrators that kids will be looking at long after the story is over. This is the perfect kid’s book for the holiday season, or for any parent or teacher who wants to educate young readers on the importance of perseverance.
Pages: 38 | ASIN: B0BNLWZP2T
LITERARY TITAN 