MUSE MONDAY
This is the last segment of Laura's posts about different genres. And I love this idea. I would love to adopt Iceland's tradition. Read on and enjoy. And if you've had a good time reading about the different genres Laura writes, please visit her web site to see how you can find all of her great books.
In
Iceland, they have an amazing tradition. On Christmas Eve—an enchanted night by
anyone’s standards—folks there present one another with gifts of books,
following which they make some hot chocolate, snuggle up and spend the cold
winter’s night reading. It’s called Jolabokaflod,
or flood of books, and if there’s a better or cozier idea, I just can’t imagine
it.
For me,
the holidays are all about cozy. Whatever way you celebrate, whether it’s with
candles, carols or family gatherings complete with comfort foods, there’s a
feeling of warmth that starts at the heart and spreads outward. Good scents,
great company and gratitude for shelter against the cold all combine to create
deep contentment.
I
don’t know about you, but I get that same feeling when I curl up with a good
book. I think it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether I use an e-reader
or choose the more tactile experience of a physical copy, the result’s the
same. The world goes away, a new world blossoms in my mind’s eye, and bliss
ensues.
That’s
doubly true when the book is a holiday story. Magic is woven between those
pages, complete with reindeer, Christmas cookies and snow—there has to be snow.
Anything’s possible, mistletoe has the power to summon your true love, and
wishes always come true.
I
think that’s why we love to read holiday stories, and to write them. But why
should Jolabokaflod be confined to
only one night? There are so many great holiday books out there, and Christmas
decorations are already in the stores. I say, gift yourself a book, grab your
comforter and your favorite treat, and cuddle up. Let the flood begin!
What’s
your favorite holiday story?
Blurb
for Northern Magic:
When
Santa asks his worker, Olja, to help make another elf’s Christmas wish come
true, she believes the job calls for a love potion. Brewing it up will require
her to travel all around the North Pole gathering unusual supplies, and to take
a few dangerous risks. But she’s never failed Santa in the past and doesn’t
intend to now.
Elf
Runi’s in the business of guiding Santa’s sleigh and making other people’s
wishes come true. This year he’s dared make a wish of his own, one from the
heart. When he meets Olja, he hopes he’s found his forever. But it will
take assistance from a reindeer, a generous helping of love and a whole
lot of magic to make his wish come true. That is, if Olja and Runi can just
outwit the three troublesome trolls who decide they’d make a fine winter’s
snack.
Buy
links for Northern Magic:
Barnes
& Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/northern-magic-laura-strickland/1127170455?ean=2940154927526
Author
Web Site: http://www.laurastricklandbooks.com
