Blame it on the Mistletoe by Joyce Magnin (Review)

Blame it on the Mistletoe: A Novel of Bright's Pond (Book 4)

by Joyce Magnin

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christian / Fiction / General 
Published by- Abingdon Press 
Copyrighted- 2011
Number of pages- 368
Age Group- Adult 
Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN: 978-1-4267-1162-6

Life is always exciting in Bright’s Pond and this Christmas is no different.  Griselda Sparrow has to decided if she wants to marry her longtime on and off again boyfriend, Zeb, or become involved with the man, Cliff, who is teaching her how to fly a plane. 

The Greenbrier Nursing Home, where Griselda’s sister, Agnes, lives, has something strange happening.  The residents are behaving as if they were decades younger.  Leon Fontaine could be the reason.  Nobody is sure.

Will the residents stay safe?  Who will Griselda chose?  Will she marry him?

About the Author-  Joyce Magnin currently lives in Pennsylvania.  She is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship and frequently is a workshop leader.  She has written three other Bright’s Pond novels.

My Thoughts- I am pretty sure this is my first time reading one of the books in the Bright’s Pond Tales series.  I thought Blame it on the Mistletoe was interesting.

Now that I have read the book, I don’t understand how it could have that title.  The book had nothing to do with mistletoe.  I don’t even remember mistletoe being mentioned.

I thought there could have been more faith in God embedded in this novel.  To me it was simply a feel-good-story with everyday problems people face.  I think if a book has Christian written on the back, then there needs to be more of a message about God and faith.

The characters were described very well.  I could close my eyes and imagine what Agnes looked like or see Haddie Grace riding her tricycle in the hallway at the Greenbrier Nursing Home.

You don’t need to read the other books in the series to enjoy and understand this one.  If you enjoyed the other books in the series, then I am sure you will enjoy this one too.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Blame it on the Mistletoe, by Joyce Magnin, for free from Abingdon Press.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Cake by Joyce Magnin

 Cake: Love, Chickens, and a Taste of Peculiar by Joyce Magnin and illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov

Genre- Juvenile Fiction / Family / General

Published by- ZonderKidz (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- 9 and up

Description of book- hardback, list price $14.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-73333-1

 

Wilma Sue is a foster child and her new foster parents are Ruth and Naomi, retired missionary sisters. Wilma Sue is in for some surprises and new friends.

One of Naomi’s talents is baking special cakes for people who need them.  Wilma Sue goes along for the delivery and sees  some strange things.  She thought she saw Mrs. Snipplesmith’s chair rise off the floor!

Wilma Sue makes a new friend, Penny.  She wants to make Penny a special cake.  Will the cake turn out right?  What tragedy happens to the chickens?  Will Wilma Sue have a permanent home?

About the author- Joyce Magnin has three children, one son-in-law, and three grandsons.  She currently lives in Pennsylvania with one of her sons.  She enjoys music, baseball, needle arts, and more.  She is the author of the Bright Pond novels.  Her website is- www.joycemagnin.blogspot.com.

 

 

 

My thoughts- When I read a description of this book it said, “Mary Poppins meets Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.”  I was excited.  I like those stories.  After having finished the book, I disagree with the statement.  I really don’t see parts of those stories in this book. 

I liked this book though.  Joyce Magnin did a wonderful job of telling the story from Wilma Sue’s point-of-view.  I have never spent much time thinking about what it would be like to be a foster child.  Wilma Sue’s private thoughts and her notebook led me to believe how much uncertainty there can be in a foster child’s life.  Many people need to read this book to learn about the foster child system and how there can be love and hope for the children when they reach the right family.

The illustrations were a nice surprise.  I think all readers will enjoy the pictures that represent Wilma Sue’s new life.

I highly recommend this fast-paced special book with Wilma Sue, Ruth, Naomi, Penny, the chickens, and more.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Cake: Love, Chickens, and a Taste of the Peculiar by Joyce Magnin  for free from DJC Communications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.