Guest Post: Christmas Recipes

Christmas season is the time for guest post, apparently! ^_^ I'm so pleased to bring you, this month of December, another guest post from my family! Another of my lovely younger sisters is going to share Christmas recipes today! (And she has beautiful pictures of them too! *smiles*)

Christmas Recipes

I'm here to bring you some scrumptious Christmas recipes! Many of these are things my family makes nearly every year, and some are more recent discoveries. ;) I hope you enjoy this, and maybe find a new recipe to make during this Christmas season!

Sugar Cookie Cutouts

INGREDIENTS:

(for cookies)

1 1\2 cups powdered sugar                      2 1\2 cups flour

1 cup butter                                                 1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla                                                1 tsp. baking powder

1\2 tsp. almond extract                            1 tsp. cream of tarter

1 egg

(for frosting)*

3 cups powdered sugar                            2 Tbsp. milk

1\3 cup butter                                         almond extract to taste (optional)

1 1\2 tsp. vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS:

Sift dry ingredients together. In separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Then add next 3 ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients.

Refrigerate dough for 3 hours.

Roll out dough. You may need to flour your surface and rolling pin to keep dough from sticking. Cut out cookies with Christmas cookie cutters and place on cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes.

When cooled, decorate with frosting!

*note: you can add food coloring to your frosting, if you like it colored. Otherwise you can choose the "healthy" way. ;D

Sprinkles are also fun!

These cookies are basically tradition for us. We make them every year. :) It's always fun for the younger kids to cut out the shapes and decorate the cookie with frosting when they're cooked and cooled ... well, not just the younger kids. =D

Double-Dipped Ginger Snaps

INGREDIENTS:

(for cookies)

3\4 cups butter                                  2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup brown sugar                             1\4 tsp. salt

1 eggs                                                   1\2 tsp. cloves

1\4 cup molasses                               1 tsp. cinnamon

2 1\4 cups flour                                 1 tsp. ginger

(for dipping)*

1\4 cup shortening (or butter)

two 12 oz. pkg. vanilla milk chips

crushed candy canes

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cream butter, then add sugar and mix well. Add eggs and molasses and mix well. Then add dry ingredients and combine (you really have to work it in). Form into balls and roll in sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

After cooled, dip one side of cookie in white chocolate, then in crushed candy canes.

*note: we used vanilla candy coating

This is also a recipe we like to do. They're so festive - so Christmas! =)

Chocolate Crinkles

INGREDIENTS:

1\2 cup vegetable oil                            2 tsp. vanilla

3\4 cup cocoa                                        2 cups flour

1\4 cup butter                                        2 tsp. baking powder

2 cups sugar                                           1\2 tsp. salt

4 eggs                                                      1 cup powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix oil, cocoa, butter, and sugar (not powdered). Blend in 1 egg at a time. Add vanilla, then the rest of the ingredients except for powdered sugar. Chill several hours or overnight. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough into powdered sugar. Roll in sugar, then shape into balls. Place 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Don't over-bake!

This recipe isn't so Christmas - not as much as the previous ones. But it the powdered sugar on top looks kind of like snow, so it fits in nicely with the holiday. :) The dough is quite sticky, but very yummy - I just kept on picking at it. ;P

Chocolate Pistachio Thumbprints

INGREDIENTS:

(for cookies)

1\3 cup powdered sugar                     1 egg

1 C butter                                               2 C flour

1 t vanilla                                             1\2 cup miniature chocolate chips

3\4 tsp almond extract                      3\4- 1 1\4 cup nuts, finely chopped

1 package instant pistachio pudding mix

(for filling)

1 1\2 cups powdered sugar                                  1 tsp. vanilla

2 tbsp. butter                                                          1 to 3 tbsp. milk

(for glaze)

1\2 cup chocolate chips         

2 tsp. coconut oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

Beat first six ingredients (for cookies). Add flour and chocolate chips. Mix well. Shape into 1 inch balls, then roll in nuts. Using your thump, make an imprint in the middle.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely. Mix all filling ingredients. Drop a scant teaspoon into the middle of each cookie. Melt chocolate chips and oil, and drizzle over cookies. Let set until hard.

Ooh, I love these! They are simply delicious, with the pistachio cookie, dollop of frosting in the middle, and drizzle of chocolate. :) These are something we've made more than one Christmas season as well.

(And can I say I love how my picture of them turned out? FOOD PICTURES<3)

Pretzel Hugs

INGREDIENTS:

square pretzels

white chocolate and peppermint candy kisses (a.k.a. hugs)

M&M's

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place pretzels on a cookie sheet and put a candy kiss on each one. Put in the oven at 200 degrees for 4 minutes. Upon removing from oven, press an m&m onto the candy kisses. Let cool and enjoy! :)

We made these with friends the other day; they are a perfect treat for the little kids to make. :) Oh, and they're yummy too. ;)

Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Greek Yogurt Pancakes

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups plain greek yogurt                              4 tsp ground ginger

4 cups rolled oats                                            4 ripe banana

4 tsp. baking powder                                      4 tbsp. molasses

4-8 tsp. cinnamon                                           8 eggs*

INSTRUCTIONS:

Blend ingredients in blender, in order listed, until batter is smooth. Let sit for a few minutes. Pour on greased skillet, sprinkle with a few chocolate chips, and cook.  **

source of recipe: www.runningwithspoons.com

*note: original recipe calls for egg whites, but we just do whole eggs. :)

** This recipe feeds a big family - you may have to half it or something if you have less people to feed. ;)

This is a DELICIOUS pancake recipe, and one to definitely have for breakfast during Christmas season (since it's gingerbread pancakes). We do eat it during any season, though, usually without chocolate chips. But the chips, and a dollop of whipped cream make these special during a special season. ;)

No-Bake Coconut Balls

INGREDIENTS:

1 3\4 cup coconut                                            1\2 tsp. vanilla

3 tsp. coconut oil                                              1\8 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. maple syrup                                            dark chocolate (for dipping)

2 tbsp. unsweetened coconut milk        more shredded coconut (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Blend 1 cup of coconut with oil to make butter. Combine with the rest of the ingredients, then add remaining coconut. Dip in melted dark chocolate and roll in coconut.

This is a great option for a Christmas treat for those who don't want all the sugar! And they're really good, believe me! :)

Pistachio Almond Biscotti

INGREDIENTS:

(for biscotti)

1 cup butter                                         1 tbsp. baking powder

2 cups sugar                                        2 cups flour

4 eggs                                                   1 1\2 cup whole almonds

1 box pistachio pudding                   1 1\2 cup shelled pistachios

2 tsp. salt

(for glaze)

1 cup powdered sugar                             2-3 tsp. water

1 tsp. almond extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in next three ingredients until fluffy. Sift next three ingredients together and add to wet mixture. Fold in nuts last.

Put parchment paper on a cookie sheet; shape dough into logs 3 in. by 3 in.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes, then slice the "log" into 1 inch slices with a sharp knife. Cool for 1\2 hour.

Turn oven down to 325 degrees. Lay the cut side of biscotti on baking sheet, then bake 8 minutes. Turn each biscotti over and bake for 8 more minutes.

Biscotti should be dry, but not very browned. When cooled, glaze, and enjoy!

I've always enjoyed this biscotti! So good! :) (no picture because we haven't made these recently.)

Do you have a Christmas recipe that you make every year?

Book Review: Scarlet Moon by S.D. Grimm

Purchase HERE

Title: Scarlet Moon

Author: S.D. Grimm

Series: Children of the Blood Moon #1

Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale

Audience: S.D. Grimm

ABOUT THE BOOK

The hunted Feravolk are counting on Jayden, a seventeen-year-old, dagger-wielding, storm-detecting orphan, to save their race. Maybe they should have thought of that before they killed her family.

The land of Soleden is dying because the sorceress queen hunts and kills the people who cared for all nature, the Feravolk. Through their special bond with animals, the Feravolk have become more than men. Faster, stronger, masters of camouflage and stealth. Only a Deliverer born the night of the Blood Moon can save them from extinction.

According to prophecy, Jayden is a Deliverer, but it’s not a destiny she wants. She has no sympathy for either side. The Feravolk killed her family, so they can die for all she cares. And fighting the queen with nothing but daggers and her special abilities—storm predicting—is a suicide mission. Destiny can pick someone else.

Except hiding from destiny proves difficult; Deliverers attract powerful Protectors. Jayden’s is one of the Feravolk, so he can’t be trusted. But he makes her feel safe. Makes her want to save his race. If she chooses to keep hiding, he’ll remain one of the hunted, but he’ll protect her even if it means his death if she faces the queen. Making the right choice has never been so excruciating, especially since the prophecy says nothing about the Deliverer’s success, or survival.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**5 stars**

I absolutely loved it! I was looking forward to reading another book by Enclave Publishing, and Scarlet Moon by S.D. Grimm was my chance! I won it in a giveaway, and so received a signed copy of this epic beauty.

Scarlet Moon is a fantasy tale, first book in the series CHILDREN OF THE BLOOD MOON. It follows a young woman named Jayden, and a myriad of other main characters, on a dangerous and enlightening journey to escape evil and discover truth.

This was truly incredible fantasy - with a fairy tale touch. I enjoyed it oh so much! The world. The characters. The mystery. The fight of good vs. evil. The romance. This book was unique and captivating. So many interesting people, and intriguing ways their lives all wove together! I'm still trying to figure out some things - can't wait for book two, Amber Eyes! Eeee!

I liked the Christian allegory, and hoping to see that blossom more as this series progresses. I just really adored Jayden. Something about her was unique from other YA female protagonists. I loved the character development she went through, and her personality and reactions. So very much looking forward to journeying more with her.

And Ethan! Oh, Ethan! I don't even know what to say yet.

I'm intrigued, and scared, with what's going on with Ryan. Really want to see where that's going! (Amber Eyes, come quickly!)

And just all the other characters! I want to see what happens! I want to continue their journeys!

The animal's (particularly wolves') part in this story was so cool. I love it! And unicorns! And protective bonds. And everything! I simply adore how Scarlet Moon, though on the darker side of fantasy, had this fairy tale feel. Perfection.

So yes, violence and some gruesomeness. A warning there, if you're sensitive to that sort of thing. I feel S.D. Grimm handled it all fairly well, but still, it does air on the darker side.

But hope is there, still! Though some parts of Scarlet Moon wrenched my heart and stole my breath, overall, this book utterly delighted my fantasy-loving self. If you enjoy Christian fantasy, you must pick up this novel!

Guest Post: Homemade Christmas Gifts

I'm happy to bring you another guest post from my mom! Today she's going to be talking about lovely homemade Christmas gift ideas, and how to make them!

DIY Gifts YOU can make

Giving a gift that you took the time and energy to make has an extra dose of love added! Here are a few ideas that will get you started.

Natural lotions, lip balm, shower scrubs, salves, body sprays and other personal items make great gift, especially if you know the favorite scent of the person receiving the gift.

Exfoliating Body Scrub

9 oz. Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, or Sugar

4 oz. Coconut Oil

12-16 drops Essential Oil

Mix all ingredients well and store in sealed container. I use cute little mason jars.

To use: Wet skin in shower;  Rub salt scrub over skin in circular motion. Rinse and towel dry. You will be left with a light oil on skin so no lotion is needed.

Caution- the oils may make your shower a little slippery.

Notes: Use metal or glass, as plastic sometimes absorbs the smell of the essential oils.

You can use 4 oz. of any kind of oil you would like. In this one I used half almond oil and half coconut oil.

10 drops of Rosemary and 6 drops of Peppermint were used in this batch. It gives it an invigorating feel. Lavender is a favorite scent for many and has relaxing properties. Patchouli has a musky more masculine smell. Both are excellent for the skin. Eden's Garden has a great reputation and you can read descriptions for every kind of essential oil.

Be sure to make a tag for your scrub with instructions on how to use!

Natural Lip Balm

1 oz. Beeswax

1.6 oz. Sweet Almond Oil

.3 oz. Castor Oil orVegetable Glycerin

15 drops Vitamin E Oil, if desired

25 drops Essential Oil, if desired

Melt beeswax in double-boiler. Add almond and castor oils and stir well. When it's all liquid, take off burner and stir in vitamin E oil and essential oils.  Fill your tubes using a small funnel or pipette. Let cool completely and cap.

I like to print up a nice waterproof label with the list of ingredients and such.

Notes: I don't have double-boiler so I set my glass Pyrex measuring cup in a saucepan with about 2 1/2" water. Make sure you don't splash any water into mixture.

Again, you can use any types of oils you want (Apricot Kernel, sunflower, coconut, etc.)

This is a basic lip balm that men would use too. If you want a more shiny one add more oils, such as Castor oil or less beeswax.

Nutty Chocolate Clusters

2 lbs. salted dry-roasted Peanuts

4 oz. German Sweet Chocolate

12 oz. bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

2 lbs. Vanilla Candy Coating/Almond Bark

In a 4 quart crock-pot pour in peanuts, then chocolate, broken into chucks, as listed. Set on low and leave (no stirring) for 2-3 hours until melted. Now mix all together and drop onto parchment paper by spoonfuls. Let harden and store in air-tight container.

Notes: Try dropping this mixture over a mini twist pretzel and small piece of caramel. Store in fridge/freezer if using homemade caramels.

Substitute the peanuts with cashews, pecans, and walnuts.  

Beware! Don't make these too long before gifting as you might eat them all!

Caramels

2 cups Sugar             2 cup heavy Cream

1 cup Brown Sugar        1 cup Butter

1 cup Corn Syrup         1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla 

1 cup evaporated Milk

Heat all ingredients, except vanilla in large pot over medium low heat. Cook and stir until mixture reaches 248*, or when a small amount of mixture forms firm ball when dropped into cold water. This usually takes me 45 minutes or more. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour mixture onto greased cookie sheet and cool. Cut into squares and wrap in parchment paper. Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer.

Notes: Pot should be about 3X as big as your mixture.

Here is an economical candy thermometer.

You can sprinkle with course sea salt or press in chopped pecans after cooling for about 20 minutes.

After wrapping, fill a glass jar with them and add a festive bow and tag.

My husband usually requests these at least once a year.

 Natural Perfume

(without the synthetic hormones!)

30 drops of Essential Oil, more or less

2 oz. 80-100% proof Vodka, spiced Rum, or the like

If you are using more than one essential oil, mix together in glass capped container and let sit for a few days so the oils blend. Add the alcohol, cap tightly and shake well. Let age in cool dark area for 2-4 weeks.

Notes: You can make smaller batches right in these glass perfume bottles, or funnel into a spray bottle like these after the perfume has aged.  Shake before pouring into your bottles.

If you don't know a lot about mixing essential oils and don't want to experiment, try a blend of oils like the one linked above. Read the description of the oil to see if it's a good fit.

Rice Packs

100% Cotton Material (10"x5" for each pack)

White Rice (about 1 cup)

Cut a 10" by 5" rectangle of your material. Fold in half with good side facing in. Sew along all edges, leaving a 2" space un-sewn for filling. Now turn material right side out. Use funnel to fill pouch 3/4 full with rice. Tuck un-sewn edges under and sew shut. If desired, sew around edges for detail.

Notes: Surely I should be able to think of a better name for such a versatile gift! It's a toy, juggling tool, hand warmers, earache relief pack ... The smaller ones are a gift our daughter is making for her little brother for Christmas.

Warm these up in microwave for about 45 seconds for achy muscles, ear aches, and hand warmers for your coat pockets.

Don't forget the instructional tag on heating them!

Play Dough

1 cup Flour

1 cup Water

2 TBS. Oil (coconut, canola)

1/2 cup Salt

1 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1-2 pkgs. Kool-Aid, if desired

Mix together in a pot and heat over medium heat, stirring well until mixture starts to pull from pot. Shut off burner, but leave pot on burner, stirring until mixture forms into a ball. Remove and cool completely. Store in tightly sealed container.

Notes: This is super soft play dough and smells so good with the Kool-aid added!

Even some of my older children asked for it in their stockings :)

I used 1 pkg. mixed berry Kool-Aid for blue and 1 Orange flavor for orange.

Darling Vintage Belt

I have not made this, yet, but will be soon. It is just too cute! I know some ladies that would look superb wearing this ;)

Below is the link with complete details on how to make.

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/09/fabric-flower-belt-cinch-it-in.html

Basket of Goodies

(or oven mitt, or slippers, or...)

You don't have to make something from scratch to give a more personalized gift.

Try a basket of fresh fruits. I added a jar of blueberry preserves.

An oven mitt with handy utensils. See a few of our favorite HERE.

Fuzzy slippers filled with nail polish, Nail filer, Foot cream, chocolate, tea bags ...

I love to custom-make a pretty apron and add some handcrafted natural soap to go with it as a gift for someone special. It's rewarding to create a unique one for each person.

And if you haven't tried making your own soap, that's another whole bunch of fun! Below is my Orange/Coffee soap.

Happy Christmas Gifting!

~Shantelle's Mom

Guest Post: Some of Our Family's Favorite Christmas Songs

And today I present you with another fun Christmas guest post! This one was written by one of my lovely younger sisters! ^_^

I hope you enjoy!

Some of our family's favorite

Christmas songs

Hi guys! The Christmas season is here! Are you all excited?!? These are some of  my family's and my favorite Christmas songs!

This is one of my favorite singers! :) The First Noel sung by Josh Turner

*

Born on Christmas Day by Brad Paisley - This is probably one off my favorite Christmas songs.

*

This is one of my sister Natasha's favorites :) Mary Did You Know sung by Scotty McCreery

*

My older brother prefers the new Christmas songs. Beautiful by Kutless

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Shantelle loves this one! Chris Tomlin - Noel ft. Lauren Daigle

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Baby Brother even has a "best" song! There is a Star featuring Sarah Macintosh

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Of course, you can't forget the classics!  The First Noel sung by Scotty McCreery

O Come All Ye Faithful sung by Casting Crowns

Joy to the World sung by George Strait

Angels We Have Heard On High sung by Chris Tomlin

Hark the Herald Angels Sing sung by Jeremy Camp

We Three Kings sung by George Strait

*

Here are some of the fun Christmas songs! :) Santa Looks a Lot Like Daddy sung by George Strait

Christmas Cookies sung by George Strait. My dad usually sings part of this song when he wants us to make him some Christmas cookies. :)

Jingle Bells sung by Lauren Daigle

Yeah, so there are some awesome songs that we all like!

You can collect your favorite songs on MP3va.com! We usually only pay $ .15 a track too! Then we make ourselves a CD to enjoy. You do have to put $15 into your account when you register with them, but if you are like us, you will find enough songs to buy.

Book Review: Once: Six Historically Inspired Fairytales

Purchase HERE

Title: Once: Six Historically Inspired Fairytales

Author: Elisabeth Grace Foley // Rachel Heffington // J. Grace Pennington // Emily Ann Putzke // Suzannah Rowntree // Hayden Wand

Series: Standalone Novellas

Genre: Historical/Fairy Tale Retelling/Dystopian

Audience: Young Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

Six fairytales you thought you knew, set against a tapestry of historical backgrounds.

A lonely girl plots revenge in the shadow of a mountain. A stolen princess fumbles a century backward. A dwarfish man crafts brilliant automatons. A Polish Jew strikes matches against the Nazis. A dead girl haunts a crystal lake. A terrified princess searches a labyrinth. A rich collection of six historically inspired retellings, Once is a new generation of fairytales for those who thought they'd heard the tales in all their forms.

Featuring the novellas of Elisabeth Grace Foley, Rachel Heffington, J Grace Pennington, Emily Ann Putzke, Suzannah Rowntree, and Hayden Wand.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**4 stars**

Take a look at that gorgeous cover! It’s divine! ^_^ Dive into this new collection of fairy tale retellings to find history, dystopian worlds, time-travel excitement, western danger, suspense, and of course, romance!

***

The Mountain of the Wolf by Elisabeth Grace Foley. A retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, this western historical tale was one I quite enjoyed. It’s non-magical, and set in the mountains were outlaws lurk and herds of wild horses roam free.

The writing style is akin to the style of the ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series; and while whimsical and old-fashioned, it can be slow and isn’t my favorite ever. That being said, The Mountain of the Wolf was still a great story, and I loved that ending—exciting and dangerous, and then utterly sweet. And the one part that really reminded me of the fairy tale it retells was fabulously-done!

A unique and lovely take on the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood.

She But Sleepeth by Rachel Heffington. I really like the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, but I honestly didn’t care for this retelling of it. Two reasons: it was a tragedy, and the characters were too acquainted with spells for my personal liking. “Sorcery” and “witching” were words I saw too often, and not only when speaking of the evil villain.

It was an interesting retelling, weaving a new Sleeping Beauty tale with bits of real historical figures and accounts, and the intrigue of time-travel. I wasn’t left bored.

But yes, the magic was a bit much for my taste. And the tale had such a heavy air about it—such sorrow and this feeling of being trapped or helpless. I prefer a tale where good triumphs over evil.

Rumpled by J. Grace Pennington. So I really loved this tale! My kind of story—and definitely the best retelling of Rumplestiltskin that I’ve read! This is the first time I’ve read by this author, and I’m glad I did; I will look for more books by her, for sure.

Set in a dystopian, sci-fi world, Rumpled quickly sweeps us into the intrigue of rags to riches, and webs of deception and fear. A young woman is caught up into a crazy scheme, set into motion by her bumbling father. The most unlikely of people comes to the rescue. A love story unfolds.

I quite adored the grace that layered this story. There were times of danger and drama. Breathless, heart-clenching scenes were you wondered how everything could work out right. And the sweetest of moments. The characters were just lovely—I truly liked both Amanda and her man. And the servants. And … yes. Rumpled was perfectly perfect, and I look forward to loosing myself in another story by J. Grace Pennington.

Sweet Remembrance by Emily Ann Putzke. I remember The Little Match Girl being such a tragic tale, but somehow sweet—bittersweet. That’s how this WWII retelling of the story was. I don’t like tragedies, but if you’re going to write one, write it like Emily Ann Putzke did with Sweet Remembrance.

It was captivating. The history of the Jews being brutally persecuted by Germans is hard—the kind of hard where the enormity of it steals the breath from your lungs for a moment. The lost dreams so bitter. But the remembering of a heartfelt romance so sweet. All in all, it’s a sad tale of a horrific time in history … but it ends with a curious kind of hope. A hope that I want to hold onto.

Very well written. A bittersweet, heart-tugging story of an ordinary girl in a terrible time.

Death Be Not Proud by Suzannah Rowntree. This was sort of a chilling tale. But then, one would expect a retelling of Snow White to be, considering the fairy tale tells of evil and jealousy and would-be-murderers. I really enjoyed that it was set in the Jazz Age, and the mystery/suspense was exciting and all worth it once you got to the end of the story. If you don’t like a story that’s a little bit spooky and has a couple mentions of gruesome speculation, then Death Be Not Proud may not be the best read for you. But I found I liked it. I didn’t find the spooky parts too overdone, and regardless of the doom in the title, it is a good story.

With mystery keeping you on the edge of your seat, Suzannah Rowntree delivers a unique story, about a singer and a man on a mission, that kept me guessing and left me satisfied.

With Blossoms Gold by Hayden Wand. A sweet retelling of Rapunzel, though set amidst the bitterness of war and panic attacks. Though I sometimes got frustrated with Nella, one of the main characters of the story, I appreciated her character development and the authenticity of the tale.

The romance was lovely; and our hero a likable character indeed! Some of his witty remarks had me chuckling to myself.

Overall it was a fine, non-magical fairy tale retelling; set in Italy and examining difficult issues. I quite enjoyed.

***

Well, there you have it, my friends. On a whole, I was quite impressed with Once: Six Historically Inspired Fairytales. The stories were interesting, thoughtful, and different. The writing was very good.

Once isn’t exactly a light tome of fluffy fairy tales, but overall, it is a collection of superbly-written retellings. Check it out!

I received a copy of Once: Six Historically Inspired Fairytales from the authors.