WInterHaven Sleigh Tour

Only five more days until Christmas! And the countdown begins... In celebration, Realms of an Open Mind has joined up with the WinterHaven Sleigh Tour hosted by WinterHaven Books. This week is all about childhood memories ~ what are our favorite children's christmas stories?

This was easy for me. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Everyone knows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his famous "Bah Humbugs." His image was recently capture by the spectacularly hilarious Jim Carrey in Disney's most current rendition of the story.

There are more than enough movies to fill your day with this classic tale, but they all tell the same tale, courtesy of Dickens. It's a bit of a spooky Christmas story, especially when you're a child, with heartless old men, rattling ghosts, and the image of a lonely death looming in the not-too-far distance.


I think I loved the paranormal aspect of this book ~ not only that, but the way it's portrayed. These spirits scare Ebenezer back to humanity, making him remember his past, showing him the truth of the present he has chosen to ignore, and giving him a glimpse of his dark and devastating future. He goes from one of the worst men in town to someone joyously unrecognizable ~ all in the Christmas spirit :). It's a happy ending, but the journey to get to that point was emotional, and Ebenezer had to face more than a few of those demons lurking around in his crippled soul.

I'm sure many of you have read the book, but you should also check out the newest film version. It's amazing and absolutely something fun to share with your family.

ALSO, as part of The Magic of Christmas, WinterHaven Books is hosting a give-away that will include a Children's or YA book bundle to be shipped to an elementary school or library of the winner's choosing. The winner will be offered a few options and they can choose what bundle and location to ship to within the United States. Awesome, right?  Good luck and happy holidays!

(P.S. Swing on over to WinterHaven Sleigh Tour to see who else is along for the ride...)

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Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Christmas Giveaway Hop

Tis the season :)... For gift giving... And on this hop, I will be giving away a copy of Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans.

Perfect, perfect book for the holiday season. I'm about halfway through, and it's not what I expected - in a good way. I'm usually not a big fan of books revolving around Christmas ~ I love Christmas, but I always found the books to be a bit on the cheesy side... This one is proving to be an exception....

"There are stories, Christmas stories that are stored away like boxes of garlands and frosted glass ornaments, to be brought out and cherished each year. I've come to believe that my story is a Christmas story. For it has forever changed the way I see Christmas."

The Christmas season is supposed to be full of joy, but not for Mark Smart. Life had dealt him one blow after another until one snowy November night, when he finds a beautiful young woman who will change his life forever. Macy Wood has little memory of her birth parents, and memories she'd rather forget of her adopted home. A Christmas ornament inscribed with the word "Noel" is the only clue to the little sister she only vaguely remembers, a clue that will send her and Mark on a journey to reclaim her past, and her family.

So, I know it's kinda buzz killerish, but I gotta limit this one to U.S only....

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Good Luck!!! And thanks for entering!!


Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~