Book Blog Tour Stop - I Am Santa by Kristy Haile

Remember the old Art Linkletter/Bill Cosby show "Kids Say The Darnedest Things?"

For author Kristy Haile, when her 4-year old son Ty told her that he was the "new real Santa Claus," she thought it was just a cute phase her child was going through, using his imagination to the fullest! So she kept a journal of all the cute things that he said and did for the next couple of years while he was "Santa Claus."

Now Kristy shares those memories in her book, "I Am Santa," a delightfully charming account of the little boy who would be "Santa." This is a book that would be perfect holiday reading for the entire family!

About I Am Santa:

One day little Nicholas wandered away from his mom and his sister while they were out shopping because he has always felt mostly invisible in comparison to his sister Holly.  Little Nicholas meets an old man sitting on a bench at the mall.  This old man tells Nicholas he is Santa Claus and that he is very sick and dying.  Santa Claus also tells Nicholas he will now be the new real Santa Claus and the elves would be in touch with him shortly.  Little Nicholas believes this old man a hundred and ten percent that he is to become the new real Santa Claus.

Enjoy this journey into a little boy’s imagination as he struggles in a world of doubt, continuously striving to turn non believers into believers. I believe my son is the new real Santa Claus no matter what other people may believe. The question is, do you believe?

About Kristy Haile

Californian Kristy Haile earned an Associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene from Northeastern University in Boston and then worked as a hygienist in Massachusetts and California. She moved from her hometown of Turlock, CA to Los Angeles, where her two children became actors on TV (The Office, Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives), movies (Chihuahua: The Movie) and in commercials.

At age 4, son Ty came to believe he was Santa Claus. Haile kept a journal of the funny and unusual things her son said and did over the next two years, as well as of people’s reactions to his self-identification as the “new real Santa Claus.” That journal was the basis for her latest book, I Am Santa. You can visit the ‘I AM SANTA!’ website at www.iamsantabook.com to connect with Kristy.

Thanks to Pump Up Your Book Promotions and the author for the review copy of this book. I was not compensated for my opinions.

Buckley's Story: Lessons from a Feline Master by Ingrid King

Note: This is a re-run of a previous post, but this book is so good, I thought it desired a second round!

There are cat people and there are dog people. I happen to be a “cat person.” There is something satisfying about the warm purr of affection that a cat can offer her person. Of course, it’s has been said that cats don’t have owners, they have staff – they can be a tad bit superior at times, but in the end they are usually – usually- very affectionate and friendly.

Author Ingrid King writes about her love of cats in her warm and moving memoir, “Buckley’s Story: Lessons from a Feline Master.” Anyone who loves pets, and cats in general, will find this fascinating story to be heartwarming, as well as heartfelt as King tells the story of how one tiny tortoise-colored cat made such an impact in her life.

The charming book would make an ideal gift for any pet lover on your Christmas list this year!

About the Book:

“Buckley’s Story” is the story of how one small cat changed the author’s life in ways she never could have imagined. In this warm-hearted memoir, Ingrid King shares the story of Buckley, a joyful, enthusiastic and affectionate tortoiseshell cat she meets while managing a veterinary hospital.

When Ingrid leaves her job at the veterinary hospital to start her own business, Buckley comes home to live with her and Amber, another tortoiseshell cat who had adopted the author several years earlier.

Buckley is diagnosed with heart disease after only two years of living with Ingrid, and caring for Buckley through her illness only deepens the bond between cat and human. Interspersed with well-researched information about cat health in general, and heart disease in particular, the author describes the challenges and rewards of managing illness in a feline companion, and ultimately helping her through the final transition. Ingrid shares both the day-to-day joys of living with a special cat as well as the profound grief that comes with losing a beloved animal companion.

“Buckley’s Story” is a celebration of the soul connection between animals and humans, a connection that is eternal and transcends the physical dimension.

An Excerpt from “Buckley’s Story”:

I met Buckley that spring of 2005. I had been managing the Middleburg Animal Hospital for seven years at that point. For the first four of those seven years, I had shared my office with Virginia, a beautiful tortoiseshell cat who had adopted me as her person and loved me utterly and completely. After she died in 2002, the office felt empty, but the right cat to take over this important position had not come along—until that spring day, when I walked into the kennel area of the hospital. Liz, our groomer, was brushing out a scruffy looking mixed breed dog, and we chatted for a while.“Have you seen the cute little tortie in the back?” Liz asked. Everybody at the animal hospital knew I was partial to tortoiseshell cats. There was something about the beautiful coloring and the distinct personality that is typical for these cats that appealed to me.
“No, I haven’t,” I responded. “Where is she?”

Liz pointed to the bank of cages at the very back of the kennel, and I went to see Buckley for the first time. And I fell in love. Hard. And fast.

About The Author:

Ingrid King is a former veterinary hospital manager turned writer. She publishes the E-zine News for You and Your Pet, covering topics ranging from conscious living to holistic and alternative health. She shares her experiences with consciously creating a joyful, happy and healthy life for pets and people on her popular blog, The Conscious Cat. Ingrid lives in Northern Virginia with her tortoiseshell cat Amber. Visit http://www.ingridking.com/ for more information.

I love my kitties!!!!

Between A Heart and A Rock Place by Pat Benatar

In 1979, a song called “Heartbreaker” hit the airwaves and became a major hit for Pat Benatar. With that break, there was no looking back for the hard-rocking chick, and over the next 30-plus years, Benatar has been a force to reckon with in the music world. But it wasn’t always easy going for the little gal with the big voice from Long Island.

In her memoir, “Between A Heart and A Rock Place,” Pat Benatar tells her life story with a refreshingly honest, sometimes brutal and often humorous outlook that will fascinate her fans as well as those interested in rock history.

From her childhood growing up in Lindenhurt, Long Island, New York, Benatar was discovered at a fairly young age as having the potential to become a promising singer. Her high school choir teacher took her under her wing and made sure Benatar received the classical training which provided her with the groundwork she would find herself benefiting from for years to come.

Benatar talks about her early disastrous marriage, about being discovered at the famous “Catch A Rising Star” club in New York, the whirlwind rise to fame that garnered her four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Rock Performance, and the pride in being the first female rocker to ever appear on MTV. (Her video for “You Better Run” was actually the second video to air on the fledgling new station when it debuted on August 1, 1981.)

She also shares with readers the struggles she faced getting her music presented like she wanted it, the constant battle with the record company executives who had different plans for her career, and how the powers-that-be nearly destroyed her relationship with guitarist Neil Giraldo, not to mention their young family.

But Benatar proved herself to be one tough cookie, and if survival is the name of the game in the music business, she had what it take to succeed. With her loyal legion of fans, she would go on to sell out arenas all over the world, and secure a place for herself in rock and roll history.

“Between A Heart and A Rock Place” is a fascinating memoir of Benatar’s life, but it can also been seen as a great learning tool for aspiring young female singers wanting to break into the big, bad world of rock music. Sharing her ups and downs, Benatar has wise lessons to be learned, all the student has to do is take a little piece of her heart, and remember that love is a battlefield – and they’ll be set to hit them with their best shot.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my opinion.

Somewhere Inside: by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling

There is a fine line for journalists – between covering the story and becoming a part of the story.

On March 17, 2009, Laura Ling and fellow journalist Euna Lee found themselves a bigger part of the story they were covering than they bargained for. While shooting footage in China for a documentary about North Koreans who were defecting to China in droves, Laura and Euna were unwittingly led by a supposedly safe “guide” onto North Korean soil where they were captured by border soldiers.

What would follow would be months of being separated and placed in captivity by a hostile nation who seemed determined to make examples of the two women. Laura and Euna would be the first Americans to go through a trial and be convicted of trespassing and hostile acts by the North Korean government, and sentenced to twelve years of hard labor.

In the meantime, Ling’s sister, Lisa Ling (formerly co-host of “The View” and currently a correspondent for the Oprah Winfrey Show and National Geographic Channel) upon hearing of her sister’s arrest, began a campaign to bring her beloved sibling home. She would enlist the aid of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, Senator John Kerry, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for any help they might could offer in the negotiations for Laura and Euna’s pardon and release.

Ultimately it would be former President Bill Clinton who would ride to the rescue of the two women. It seemed North Korean President Kim Jong Il was a big fan of President Clinton, and would agree to the release of the prisoners if he could meet with Clinton.

“Somwhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity In North Korea and the Other’s Fight To Bring Her Home” tells the story of Laura’s ordeal and Lisa’s massive efforts through the voices of the sisters. Laura describes her time in captivity, how frightened she was, how the guards and interpreters assigned to her would take on more friendly characteristics, but how terrified she was to be sent to a hard-labor camp.

Lisa tells of her family’s desperate attempts to find someone, anyone, who could help them in this horrible situation, and the emotional and heartbreaking terror of not knowing what was happening thousands of miles away.

This book is a fascinating accounting of the events that unfolded around this story, but it also a touching look at the Ling sisters’ fierce loyalty to each other and the bond that would see them through the months of upheaval in their family’s lives.

Spoken From The Heart by Laura Bush

For eight years, Laura Welch Bush was the First Lady of the United States, and along with her husband President George Bush, she was often in the spotlight of the world. She seemed like such a private, reserved person, handling herself with quiet grace and dignity through some of the most turbulent times in our country’s history.

In her book, “Spoken From The Heart,” readers can get to know more about this quiet but strong lady firsthand as Laura Bush tells about her life growing up in the oil country of Midland, Texas to becoming the First Lady of one of the most powerful countries on Earth.

Written in first person, Mrs. Bush’s remembrances remind me of sitting down with a friend as they tell their stories of their life, and what a fascinating, varied life Laura Bush has experienced.

From her childhood growing up an only child in West Texas, the daughter of a fun-loving, gambling man and a beautiful stay-at-home mom, Laura led the charmed, safe life of a child growing up in the 50’s. Her teenaged years were filled with friends and activities, until a tragedy involving an automobile accident marred what seemed to be a perfect existence. Mrs. Bush is very candid in writing of the incident that took the life of a high school friend, and it’s plain to see that the event was a major turning point in her life.

She writes of her days as an impressionable college student, as a beginning teacher, and later as a librarian and her desires to help children better themselves through reading.

And she writes of meeting a young man named George Bush, known as the “most eligible bachelor in Midland,” and how everyone was amazed that the “old maid” Laura was purported to be could capture such a man’s heart. Their marriage was to be a union of like minds and goals, and it is heartwarming to read of how, despite her shyness,

Laura supported her husband’s ambitions and how well the two worked as a team.
Her descriptions of her time as wife of the Governor of Texas, and then the eight years in the White House are fascinating, including the renovations that were continuously ongoing at both the Governor’s Mansion and at the White House, how the holiday themes are selected and celebrated, and how she and her family hosted the vast numbers of visitors that were an ongoing daily presence at both residences.

She also describes how the whole world changed, for both her and her husband, her family, and the entire world on September 11, 2001, and how the drama and tension of the events associated with that devastating tragedy colored the rest of her husband’s time in office.

She passionately writes about causes that are near and dear to her heart, including literacy, the plight of the women in Afghanistan, the suffering of the people of Burma, and how she battled to raise awareness as best she could on all these issues and events.

“Spoken From The Heart” is an in-depth look at Laura Bush’s experiences being First Lady of the United States, and it is perhaps one of the most complete narratives on the subject.

It doesn’t matter if you are Republican or Democrat, the history and legacy that Mrs. Bush left behind will forever be a part of our country’s tapestry and she should be admired and respected for her service to our country.