Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: christmas

  • Could It Be Magic?

    Could It Be Magic?

    Could It Be Magic is one of those books that is a pure joy to read from cover to cover with characters who are just like the people you know, a plot line that is all to plausible and even though predictable, is still well worth the read.

    Thea Ashcombe is facing a very bleak Christmas. Single mother, part time teacher and all-round nice person, she is in despair as the Bank has just advised there will be an increase in her mortgage payments after Christmas.

    Struggling to make ends meet, she is always seeking bargains in food shopping. When she sees Saints Farm Shop is now part of the Too Good To Throw discount service she makes the decision to go over there and hopefully snag a bargain.

    Running her car on a sniff of petrol she makes it to the Farm Shop, only to realise she has run out of petrol. Nick Saint comes to her rescue with a can of fuel and several days later the offer of a part time job, while his sister is away on a ‘second honeymoon’.

     Even though she and Nick have history going back to their teen years she makes the decision to take the offer and so begins very, very slowly the next step in her life as they slowly begin to rekindle what was once a teen romance going nowhere, but now, older and wiser, it may lead somewhere positive.

    Warm, enjoyable and absolutely entertaining Could It Be Magic is a gentle, perfect dose of romance set within the structure of a light read perfect to while away a wet afternoon when a little dose of escapism is required.. 

  • Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express

    Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express

    Rebecca Raisin is well known for her lovely, romantic storylines with a twist that enchant the romantic in us all. Her latest book Last Stop On The Wonderland Express is a heartwarming, funny, captivating romance that will warm the very cockles of your heart as you join the passengers on the Winter Wonderland Express.

    Its December 16 and it is Aubrey Evan’s wedding day, but she is having second and third thoughts about what she about to commit to; a life with Miles, the man she has a schoolgirl crush on and years later got together with to commit to life ever after.

    Arriving at the Church she discovers she has been jilted. Stunned and in tears she returns home wondering if what had just occurred was a practical joke. She was the jilted bride of rom-com fantasy, except this was not fantasy.

    What to do about the wonderful, romantic honeymoon she and Miles had planned and paid for, traveling to Lapland to view the sensational Arora Borealis at Christmas time is the question she asks herself.  

    Deciding she needs to get out of the Village, away from all the well-meaning relatives and friends she decides go as it is still a trip she needs to take as she is an independent Travel lanner

    Arriving in Calais, France on December 17 to commence what should have been her honeymoon, she is greeted by Sabrina, her Winter Wonderland Express hostess, clad in a cumbersome gingerbread costume. She also meets Jasper, a devastatingly good-looking man, with the most gorgeous green-blue eyes, thick dark brows and an enigmatic smile.

    Aubrey feels an instant attraction which is certainly not what she is looking for but as the days pass on this almost magical journey, she, Jasper, Princess aka Mrs Money Bags, CJ, Barry and Karen form the Unlucky In Love Club as singles on a train full of loved up couples.

    And so begins a most romantic trip from Calais to Lapland that is full of fun, soul searching and dare one say new love as Rebecca Raisin takes us on a journey wrapped in luxury on the Last Stop on the Wonderland Express; one which could easily be considered as her best yet with once again very relatable characters and some very valuable  life lessons.

  • Christmas In Prague (Remix) – Single

    Christmas In Prague (Remix) – Single

    In the wonderful spirit of Christmas Canadian Flautist Ron Korb, with Margaret Maria on cello, Patrick Therrin on glockenspiel, Laila Biali on Piano, George Koller on bass and Larry Crowe on percussion, have come together in beautiful harmony to present this year’s festive offering Christmas in Prague, composed by Korb after time spent in this amazing City during the festive season.

    Soft, gentle neo classical sounds of glockenspiel, piano, flute, cello with dainty washes of percussion come together in seamless harmony, the flute holding the piece together, often underpinned with the deep vice of the cello which enriches this short but delightful song.

    Eloquent and somewhat different to the usual festive music Christmas in Prague reaches out with a gentle message of peace for the Christmas season.

  • A Christmas Present for Roo

    A Christmas Present for Roo

    If earlier this year you and your child enjoyed ‘The Great Aussie Easter Egg-And-Spoon Race’ by author Sophie Sayle, this is the book for you both. Once again she has created the perfect picture book to put in a 4-6 year old’s stocking at Christmas. Not only is A Christmas Present for Roo an attractive, hard covered book, which has again been beautifully illustrated by New Zealand winner of prestigious illustration awards, Daron Parton but it brings back the animal friends from her previous book.

    Oh no, baby Echidna (little puggle) over slept and hence has left her Christmas present gathering to the last minute. Can she find just the perfect gift for Roo? Luckily her bush friends are there to support her in her quest to find just the right present.  

    This gentle story gives just the right Christmas message; the importance of friendship and helping others. 

  • We Three Kings

    We Three Kings

    The notes of solo piano charm the soul, with this delightfully modern rendition of the much loved and beloved carol We Three Kings from Eddy Ruyter. Originally written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins jr, for the New York City Christmas pageant, it became the first American Christmas carol to become widely popular.

    Its history still lives on as it is a carol that always, no matter which country, is widely sung by one and all throughout the Christmas season. To hear the music, immediately reminds one of the words and the sense of nostalgia that accompanies the memories of children singing, Carollers doing their rounds bringing joy and happiness and church congregations enjoying the beauty of the words and music,

    Eddy Ruyter has loved this carol since childhood and now offers his version of this wonderful, nostalgic carol ‘to wish one and all the happiest of Christmas holidays’.

  • StarLight 

    StarLight 

    Starlight is a lovely, tinkling little single especially created for Christmas by Sonya Haramis.  The sound of bells carefully tapped, backed with a melodious drone has what could be considered as a sense of clarity and stillness embedded throughout the short piece.

    Various little moments tantalise the mind, hinting of a melody of Christmas tunes well beloved, but never actually forming into a complete tune, which is in so many ways charming.

    Different and reminding one of the many layers of Christmas, Starlight reaches out through the medium of music to create, bind together, gather memories, deliver enchantment and offer peaceful, joyful moments.

    Haramis has captured a little or a lot of Christmas in this elegant composition which will truly delight.

  • AN ENCHANTED NOËL

    AN ENCHANTED NOËL

    Dan Kennedy is feeling in a festive mood and has in his very distinctive solo piano style created a collection of traditional Christmas and Festive favourite pieces. He felt, after the past years of very different Christmases’ it was very important to create work that was full of life, slightly more up-tempo than the usual style. Along the way, he created two original pieces; one that was sent to him one evening during the recording session for An Enchanted Noel.

    Setting the tone is the traditional piece Angels We Have Heard On High which bounces off the keyboard with a good deal of vigour, lending a very modern element to the beloved Carol, which is followed by the well-known In The Bleak of Winter, a very beautiful poem penned originally by Christina Rossetti and later set to music by Gustav Holtz in 1909.

    For those Not Here is an original gentle, delicate composition that reaches out to all those who will not be having a traditional Christmas and also as a remembrance for those of our beloved family members and friends no longer with us. Kennedy says the piece was sent to him in complete format one night and once transferred to the keyboard, captured perfectly, perhaps the spirit of his beloved mother who loved Christmas music, or perhaps is a gift from a passing Angel?

    The delightful carol beloved by children everywhere, Away in a Manger, has been given the Kennedy treatment by adding a little zest to the melody giving it a fresh lift, which will be enjoyed by singers and listeners alike.

     Sussex Carol first created in 1684, has lost none of its charm down the centuries and has been treated to a light, upbeat tempo beat reminiscent of the very old baroque style of music in parts with a modern flair. A catchy piece.

    Of Snow and Stars is once again a delicate piece, born of improv captured perfectly on the second take. Snowflakes falling gently to earth, the night skies alive with the brilliance of stars, the air cold, crisp and full of magic is presented beautifully making this the standout track on the album.

    Irving Berlin’s White Christmas rounds out a beautiful compilation of music, both ancient and modern that helps bring a little or a lot of festive spirit into the coming month of December.

    Dan Kennedy wishes you all An Enchanted Noel through the gift of his beautiful, contemporary and definitely cheerful, Christmas collection. Enjoy!

  • I Saw Santa’s Underpants

    I Saw Santa’s Underpants

    This cheerful, laugh out loud rhyming Christmas tale, I Saw Santa’s Underpants, from Bobby Hickman will have both adults and children chuckling gleefully at the antics poor Santa has to go through to keep his trousers in the right place.

    It is that time of the year when Santa has to set about delivering the many presents to children all over the world. So he goes to his closet, pulls out the right suit with the lovely big shiny black belt and heads off to his sleigh.

    The Elves have been hard a work stuffing all the stocking full. They load up the Sleigh and off Santa goes, dashing through the night skies. He arrives at Max’s house, where Max has been hopefully waiting to see if Santa does arrive.

    It is while Santa is doing what he does best, putting all the presents under the tree, he realises he has left his braces behind and his pants simply will not stay up. Oh, my goodness, what to do. But clever Max come up with a solution that will stop everyone from knowing what coloured underpants Santa was wearing.

    Bright, colourful illustrations add to the fun of the rhyming storyline. Little ones will be asking for I Saw Santa’s Underpants every night before bed as it is such a terrific book on several levels with much to be discovered in the illustrations and at the end of the story.

    I Saw Santa’s Underpants: A really fun Christmas read for young and not so young.

  • We’re Going on a Sleigh Ride

    We’re Going on a Sleigh Ride

    Christmas time is celebrated in this vibrant, colourful book, We’re Going On A Sleigh Ride with lots of fun and excitement. Designed for the younger reader, the story is noisy and entertaining, with details for the keen eye to follow.

    At last, the sleigh is ready, packed by an eager group of bunnies. On the first page there are flaps to lift which show the number of presents the reader has found.

    As the pages are turned children are introduced to many animals. “Watch out for the penguins Slip, Slap, Slide.”  On alternate pages, there are flaps to reveal more presents. The bunnies hold on tightly as the sleigh nearly misses the snow geese.

    The repetitive text will soon be repeated by a young reader and the illustrations show exactly what is happening.

    We’re Going On A Sleigh Ride is a lively, friendly cheerful story that will delight most young people with the added joy of lifting the flaps to reveal an idea. This is a lovely seasonal story from favourite children’s author Martha Mumford.

  • Acoustic Christmas

    Acoustic Christmas

    For people who enjoy Christmas but simply do not buy into all the traditional glitter and bling, enjoy the beautiful carols but are looking for something a little festive and different, the absolutely beautiful album Acoustic Christmas from Camille Nelson is the perfect solution.

    A selection of well-known carols from across the world have been chosen,  played on the acoustic guitar, with guest vocalists joining in on several of the pieces to add a touch of the angelic to the much loved compositions to charm, comfort and relax over the Christmas season.

    Beginning with the traditional Come, All Ye Faithful the mood and ambience is established with this solo piece, which flows effortlessly into the much loved Joy To The world. Yahosh Bonner brings an exceptional beauty to the beautiful Little Drummer Boy, gracing the traditional melody with a modern, but comfortably laid back style.

    An outstanding piece is the gorgeous Still, Still, Still, sung by Kimberley Knighton, Britney Holman and Cardin Mckinney accompanied by very gentle guitar, comes as close to perfection as one can get. Melodious and slightly more up-tempo is the More Holiness Give Me which is perhaps not as well-known, but once again delicately put together, featuring the voices of Kimberley Knighton and Britney Holman.

    Upbeat and funky is the composition of Oh Holy Night – All Creatures of Our God and King a favourite of many and one that can be sung with great gusto, as it is with the powerful voice of Marj Desius, which then leads into the gentle, beautiful solo guitar version of Silent Night, a beloved carol of all.

    Delightful, enjoyable and charming Acoustic Christmas is an album that can be enjoyed over time, not just on Christmas day or during the festive season.