Blame It On the Mistletoe by Joyce Magnin

 

Blame It On the Mistletoe

A Novel of Bright’s Pond

By

 

Joyce Magnin

 

MY TAKE:

 

I didn't realize when I signed on to review this book that it was part of a series. (The publishing world as whole needs to be better about advertising this! I love series, but I love to read them in order MORE.) *sigh* Oh well.  This isn't the first time I've complained about this and I'm sure it won't be the last.  :)

 

It took a few chapters to get into the book and hooked into the story, despite the fact that it really does open with a very curious red tricycle in the nursing home. I think it was because there was a lot of references to the previous stories. Catching the reader up on the back story to set up the new one. That's normal, necessary even. And when you've read the earlier books, you don't tend to notice it, because you're not wondering what the characters are referring to.

 

Once I got in a few chapters, I began to enjoy it more. The characters are all very quirky! I'd say Bright's Pond was a town all it's own, even before their fountain was rebuilt by the odd little man who's come to town. Griselda Sparrow (what a name!), the main character is caught between two men, not sure of her true feelings for either, all while trying to experience what it's like to live on her own and not care for her sister Agnes. That's hard for her to do when Agnes keeps calling her at the drop of hat to come to the nursing home. Tack on this funny little mystery of what's making the nursing home inhabitants act so strange, and Griselda has her hands full.

 

It was an enjoyable read with a unique cast and setting, but be sure you read the earlier books first!

 

1. The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow: A Novel of Bright's Pond

2. Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise: A Novel of Bright's Pond

3. Griselda Takes Flight: A Novel of Bright's Pond

 

 

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Is There Really a Fountain of Youth in Paradise?

Welcome back to Bright 's Pond, where strange happenings are afoot at the Greenbrier Nursing Home. Strange even for Bright 's Pond. The residents suddenly act like kids again riding trikes, climbing trees, and of all things falling in love. Some of the townsfolk blame it on the crooked new gazebo, or its builder, a quirky little man who quotes Don Quixote, collects water from the fountain at the Paradise trailer park, and disappears on a regular basis.

While Chief of Police Mildred Blessing investigates the mystery, Griselda and her friends deal with a luau Thanksgiving, preparations for the Christmas pageant, and maybe even an upcoming wedding. Only, in Bright 's Pond, nothing ever really goes as planned . . .

Read an EXCERPT HERE.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

I love getting a chance to know the person behind the story. Joyce was kind enough to answer a few quirky questions of my own.

Being a writer is a great job. What's the worst job you've ever had?

HA! Any job that required me to be there. LOL. But working at a newspaper building ads was so insipid and boring.

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them?

Emily Dickinson for the dead person. I would say, "Emily, I finally understand what you meant by circumference." Guess you have to read Emily Dickinson but truly, that's what I say.

What’s your happiest childhood memory?

I was five six years old and got home from kindergarten to find nine puppies in the kitchen. I got to play with them. My mother found them in a cave in the woods behind our house. She got the mama dog also. We got to keep one of the pups. We named her Polly and she was the best dog ever.

If you had to marry a fictional character, from film, television, or books, who would it be?

Gandalf. He has great fireworks and is a wizard and all.


Very intriguing, Joyce! I worked at a newspaper in the circulation dept. for a short time at the end of high school. Would much rather be writing! :) Thanks so much for taking time to hang out with us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joyce Magnin is the author of several books, including The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, named one of the "Top 5 Best Christian Fiction Books of 2009" by Library Journal. Her short fiction pieces and articles have been published in such magazines as Relief Journal, Parents Express, Sunday Digest, and Highlights for Children. A member of the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Fellowship, Joyce is a frequent workshop leader at various writer’s conferences and women’s church groups. She has three children and one grandson, and is mom to a neurotic parakeet who lives with her in Havertown, Pennsylvania.