Pages & Paws

Writing, Reading, and Rural Life With a Border Collie

Category Archives: Seasonal & Special


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Celebrate Valentine’s Day With ‘A Father’s Dream’

A Father’s Dream

By Heidi Ennis (Indie Author, 2023)

Genre: Better Than Bacon!

Pages: 430 (Paperback)

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“God, help me. Jehovah-Rohi.”

Okay peeps. Listen up. Cuz Mom says today’s that Valerie Thing Day. When hoomans celebrate their loved ones and stuff. And Her Momness says, “NO CHOCOATE FOR KIMBERS!!”

On the scent of a Good Read!

Well. Mom also says we have the perfect book for this Valerie Thing Day. It’s also for anyone who enjoys good historical fiction and action/adventure or outdoor writing. And for anyone who’s ever felt lonely, afraid, discouraged, or fallen in love. If any of the above are you or you’re vertical and breathing, you’re gonna want to hear this.  Ready? Good. Here goes:

A Father’s Dream

Can ya hear me in the back? So for Valerie’s Day and Beyond, here’s the 4-1-1:

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The Heart of CHRISTMAS!

‘It’s not easy being beautiful and brilliant. But someone’s gotta do it!’

Thank you for joining us for a year of gaining new friends, discovering new authors, and savoring good books!

For those who’ve taken the time to read Pages and Paws, share links, like a post, comment, submit guest articles or recommend Pawsome titles new and old, THANK YOU!

It’s been a great ride. We’re looking forward to more in 2024!

Please join us as we celebrate today with one of our favorites. By Matthew West:

“Wherever you are, no matter how far,

Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas.

Live while you can, and cherish the moment.

The ones that you love, make sure they know it…”

And today:

Our best wishes to you and yours for the merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year!

Mom and Kimber


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XMAS BOOK BASH #3: Evans Twofer

1. If Only

By Richard Paul Evans (2015)

Genre: Fiction – Christmas/Young Adult

Pages: 288 (paperback)

Via: Library

Mom’s in her kerchief and I’m in my cap. We’ve just settled down for a long winter’s nap.  We’re waiting for some dude to show up. He has a little round belly that shakes when he laughs like a bowlful of jelly.

No idea what that means. But if Mom likes it, then so do I.

Anywho, we’re talking about Christmas books today. And one of our favorite authors popped up. Richard Paul Evans reigns supreme as “the King of the Christmas novel.” Evans perches high on our Favorite Authors List. We’ve read just about every title he’s ever written. And Evans is a prolific writer, if ya know what I mean. Mom’s been reading his books ever since 2003, when she nabbed the Evans book that started it all: The Christmas Box. It’s a perennial fave. And if you haven’t read it, you should. Cuz it’s really really good. (Mom re-reads it every holiday season. Since 2003. That must be some kind of a record. And yes, she has it pretty much memorized.)

Blue Plate Special

Anyway, today we’re bringing you an Honest to Goodness, Tail-Waggin’, Bow-wowin’, Bark-worthy Mom and Kimber Blue Plate Special. Also known as a “Richard Paul Evans Twofer.”

First, we recently re-read an Evans Christmassy novel called If Only. One of us didn’t realize we’d already read it until she was about halfway in. But you know Mom. (It was previously published as Grace. That’s what threw us off. So there!)

Anyway again, If Only isn’t Evans’ typical Christmas novel. Those usually center around love found. Love lost. Hopes dashed. Lives ruined. But then…. Redemption. Rescue. Love rediscovered. Forgiveness. Grace. Strong undercurrents of faith, hope, and love swirl throughout the typical Evans Christmas novel. And although there’s All of the Above in If Only, it marks a dramatic departure from Evans’ typical Christmas fare.

That’s cuz If Only touches on a difficult topic: child abuse. Not exactly the stuff that makes for chestnuts roasting on an open fire or Jack Frost nipping at your nose. But Evans’ handling of the topic is so sensitive and poignant and understated, he pulls it off. One powerful page after another. Like this:

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XMAS BOOK BASH #4: Will New Xmas Story Go Down in History?

The Greatest Reindeer

By Greg S. Paris, Indie author (2023)

Genre: Fiction/Children’s Christmas Tale

Pages: 199 (Paperback)

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen… But do you recall the greatest reindeer of all, Kris’s closest friend and protector, Cedric? He didn’t have a shiny nose, but Cedric shines bright in the pages of this expertly crafted blend of magic, myth, legend, and a betrayal that changed everything.

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15 Forgotten Christmas Movies Worth Watching

‘Tis the season, folks! For merry-making. Decking the halls. Fa-la-la-la-laing. Snuggling up with a hot cuppa. Plopping in a peppermint stick. Curling up with a Christmas-themed fave or binge-watching some good ‘ole Christmas movies.  

‘You gonna eat that?’

Mom and I were gonna do our version of Best Christmas Movies Ever today. You know. George Bailey and Bedford Falls. Pine Tree Inn, Vermont and lots of snow. The Grinch. Then we thought about some “lost,” lesser-known Christmas movies worth watching. Made a list. Checked it twice.

Here ’tis (in no particular order):

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XMAS BOOK BASH #2: New Twist on Old Christmas Tale in ‘The Bishop’s Knight’

Deck the halls with steak and T-bone, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!

What? Did I leave something out? That nice, juicy cheeseburger just sitting there on Mom’s plate? Well. Somebody had to eat it.  But I think Mom’s forgotten about that. So let’s not remind her, okay? 

Anywho, we’re ramping up on our holiday spirit with another Christmas book-ish review. It’s called The Bishop’s Knight. It’s kinda unsual-ish. (New word I just made up.) I’ll let Her Royal Momness fill ya in:

The Bishop’s Knight: A Christmas Story

By Mark Ready, Indie Author (November 2023)

Pages: 84

Genre: Fantasy/Christmas

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You won’t find a miniature sleigh or eight tiny reindeer in Mark Ready’s fantasy novella, The Bishop’s Knight. But this nimble ‘Christmas story’ is a quick and compelling read.

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XMAS BOOK BASH #1: Let it Glow With ‘Hair on Fire’

‘Tis the season, friends! Christmas is just around the corner! Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh Boy! You know that one of us is like a Major Sucker for good Christmas yarns. Here a yarn, there a yarn. Everywhere a yarn, yarn.

Wait. Where was I?

Christmas Book Bash

Oh yeah. Christmas yarns. Well. Her Momness and I have come across some pretty good ones recently. We’ll be sharing select titles here during December. We’re calling it our “Christmas Book Bash.” Throwin’ this in at no extra charge. Although a little extra crispy bacon never hurts. Just sayin.

So. Our first selection for our December Christmas Book Bash is a Christmas memoir thingy. No idea what that means. But Mom liked it. Mostly. So let’s go:

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JUMP Into the Holidays With The Great Book Reunion!

Kimber here. Doing my magnificent stuff as we jump into the holidays!

Speaking of holidays, have I got a deal for you! It’s an oldie but a goodie: Marjorie Holmes’s classic, Two From Galilee: The Story of Mary and Joseph. 

After the Earth’s Crust Cooled

The first time Mom read this book was shortly after the earth’s crust cooled. Or maybe it was in 1975? (Let’s not quibble, okay? )

“Oh my goodness!” Her Momness exclaimed the other day. We just finished lugging another dusty box up from the resident archaeological dig (Mom calls it “The Basement.” But I have my doubts).

900 Years ?

Anyway, we opened this box and lo! It was jammed with beloved books from when Mom was a young’un. You know. Like, 900 years ago. (Don’t tell Mom I said that, okay?)

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Tails From a Thanksgiving Expert

Kimber here. I’m an expert on thanks-giving. Just ask Mom. I’m thankful for just about everything and everyone. That dropped bit of bacon. Unattended hot dogs. Belly rubs! Sea gulls! Snoozes in the sun. Walks in the woods! My favorite blanket, right next to the heating vent.

On Four Feet

Mom says words related to “thankful” include gratitude. Appreciation. Gladness. Being at peace. Contentment. Cheer. Like me! Mom says I’m “thankfulness on four feet!” See? Told you I’m an expert.

As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, I thought I’d mention a few things that make my tail wag like a pinwheel (do any of these ring a bell?):

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A Totally PAWsome THANK YOU

I know. I’m GORGEOUS!

Mom and I wanted to take a moment to thank you, our wonderful readers! You make it all worthwhile.

Totally PAWsome!

A special Homogonous, Splendiferous, Stupendous and Magniferous THANK YOU to those who take the time to like and comment on our posts. That just warms our furry little hearts.  Cuz you’re like, Totally PAWsome. 

A few FYIs:

  1. The holidays are just around the corner. We traditionally focus on the holidays during the holidays. We’re just funny that way. So stay tuned for further flashes of seasonal brilliance and frivolity.
  2. If there’s a particular genre, title, or other things bookish you’d like to see on the blog that fits our submission guidelines, holler.
  3. Bookish guest posts are encouraged. We sometimes offer select authors guest posts, too. (If we really, really like you. Or you bribe us with extra crispy bacon.) For more info., click here. Be sure to put “Pages & Paws Guest Post” in the subject line so we don’t miss it.

Thanks again. Don’t be a stranger!