Diary of an Ugly Sweater by Cassi Eubank

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I have read books from many different perspectives. This is the first time I’ve read a book told from the perspective of a sweater. That made this book very interesting. Sophie is the sweater’s name and she is a Christmas sweater. Her story is told in diary form. The beginning is charming. She describes her family as the “Tree with Pom Balls” family. She is a sweater with a Christmas tree on the front and pom poms that decorate it like ornaments. She refers to other sweater families such as the “Santa Sitting on the Toilet” family. From the different “families” she mentions you get the idea of what each sweater looks like. She addresses issues such as judging others based on looks, attitudes, how to get what you want out of life. This is a unique way  to teach life lessons. The story is charming and the lessons are subtle enough not to detract from the story. It is so well written that you can feel the emotions throughout the story.  This is a book that is for young and old alike.  I don’t think  I will ever look at an “ugly” sweater the same way again, and never without thinking about this story.  This is the perfect read for the Christmas season.

Author Bio from her Site:

Results Coach Cassi Eubank is passionate about showing women how to create extraordinary success and fulfillment in their life by changing their BS (belief system) and connecting with their purpose and passion. After spending over a decade studying the psychology of success, she has created an innovative and effective system, implementing techniques which will unconsciously keep you motivated and focused, increasing your level of success and abundance in all areas of your life. As a speaker and author, she shares with others to guide them to the results they desire and deserve through her Train Your Brain for Rock Star Success programs. She is also passionate about health and wellness and hosts a KYSS Retreat (Kickstart Your Skinny Self) which is mostly about taking care of yourself and having a mindset for living a healthy, active life. That with her famous accountability calls will give you results in your waistline and your frame of mind. Visit her website to learn about upcoming speaking engagements, workshops and events where you can connect with Cassi, or to read her blog along with other valuable freebies that will be gifted to you. www.CassiEubank.com

2016 A - Z Reading Challenge

A to

Z Reading Challenge

It has been several years since I participated in any reading challenges. There was a time when I would have 5 or 6 going throughout the year. Then I started writing. Between the writing of books and the reading for review, I got lost. My book piles, especially on my Kindle kept piling up. I would find a book I wanted to read, purchase it and then I would not get to it because I had a deadline for a review. I have decided that this year I am going to tackle that list of books on my Kindle. I figure the best way to do that is to schedule, IN ADVANCE, on my calendar, books for this challenge. I live by that calendar for my reviews. If it is there and I get a request I can pull up the calendar, see something already posted and schedule the review for a different day. If I don't do this I will NEVER get my pile down. My blog is called Musings of a Book Addict for a reason. I once had a student ask me if there were organizations for people like me. He was being dead serious. When I asked him what he meant he said, "You know, they have AA for alcoholics, so do they have something for book addicts like you?"  My reply to him was, "No honey, there is no hope for people like me." I laughed as I looked at him and watched him shake his head as if to say, that is so sad.  He truly felt this addiction was out of control.  He was a student who loved to read and talk books. He thought I just went overboard.

So, it is time to try some interventions and get this addiction under a little bit of control. The books on this list are for my Kindle books only. I will be crossing them off here as I read them. I may even add to the list. I will not start this challenge until January 1st, so if you have an addiction like I do, feel free to set up your own challenge.  I am not joining an official challenge out there as that seems to sabotage me. This is just my own version for my own pleasure.  I think I will also bring this up to my students to see who would like to join me.

Most of these books were purchased in 2011. With close to 3,000 books on my Kindle it is time to read them down.

Alias Dragonfly - Jane Singer 

Bone Ash - Riley Russell  

Creative Spirit: A Supernatural Thriller -  Scott Nicholson  

Down a Lost Road - J. Leigh Bralick 

Emerald River, The - J.K. Drew  

Fall Girl by Marybeth Smith 

Ghost College  - Scott Nicholson 

Healing Lily - D. Stephenson Bond

Invisible - Lorena McCourtney   

Just As I Am - Virginia Smith  

Kiss of Adventure, A - Catherine Palmer 

Love is the Higher Law - David Levithan  

Mistletoe & Mr. Hoe - Lorraine Nelson  

No Fear - Allie Harrison  

Orphaned Hearts - Shawna K. Williams  

Preacher’s Bride, The - Jody Hedlund  

Quilt, The - T. Davis Bunn  

Roseflower Creek - Jackie Lee Miles   

Surviving  September 11th - Dan Holdridge  

Trapped - J.A.Konrath 

Untraceable - S.R. Johannes  

Vision of Sugarplums, A - Jennifer Blake

Wrong Side of the Tracks, The - Mike Wells 

XGeneration 1: You Don’t Know Me - Brad Magnarella 

You Can’t Stop Me - Max Allan Collins  

ZZZZ - Catriona Crehan 

Zanta Claus:There's a new Claus in Town by D.C. Little

Genre: Adult, Humor, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Zanta Claus is the perfect story to read to start off your Christmas Holiday. David Kringle is Santa's brother. He is a successful writer who has Santa's support one hundred percent. Unfortunately not everyone loves what he writes. His latest best seller has put some of the elves in a bad light. Martin has been named in several of his books. When it is time for his family meal with his brother and family, he learns just how upset Martin is with him. To say the ride was frightful is an understatement. But, David isn't going to let this ruin the surprise he has for his brother. He has finally figured out what he wants to do with his life and he sees it as a compliment to his brothers life. David wants to become the Zanta Claus. As Zanta Claus he will reach out to all of those children and adults who no longer believe in Santa. He gets his brother's support and takes it before the Fairy Tale council where he is granted a one year trial. He has one year to set everything up and make it work before he meets back with the council. I loved that everything was the opposite so as not to take away from Santa. David's outfit was black with red fur and his shop was setup in the South Pole. They didn't make traditional toys, they went more with what would get the attention of those who no longer believed in Santa.  Will he succeed?  You will have to read it to find out.

This was a super funny book. I kept picturing Tim Allen and Will Ferrell as I read. I could see this as a great Christmas movie. I loved that the author gave Zanta his start with what appeared to be a mismatched group of elves and reindeer. Like all "Hallmark" type Christmas story, there was even a love story to go with it. It is so fun to read that I found I was finished before I knew it.  I definitely will reread this each year because in my book it is just that good.  I am so glad I was asked to read and review this book.


Author's Bio
D.C.'s passion for life has always burned bright. His writing is directly focused on providng readers a break from the realities of life through moments of laughter and joy.
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