See what others are saying about ESSENCE:
A teen with a secret, or two or three…a fast paced and exciting story with interesting villains, heroes and a sci-fi twist.
Cindy B.
A teen with a secret, or two or three…a fast paced and exciting story with interesting villains, heroes and a sci-fi twist.
Cindy B.
The Reviews are coming in for SnowMan!
The reviews are starting to come in for SnowMan!
"This story could not have come at a better time in my life. The story has love, joy, heartache and laughter. The remarkable courage, strength and perseverance Ben and Norma show through this story is a great life lesson. Many people can relate to this and gain insight and strength from it.
I also like that fact that we need to keep great inspiring people alive , or that the story of great people can fade
Thank you so much for sharing this story."
Alison
* * *
What an enchanting story! Disney should make a movie of this!
You made me cry!
* * *
Loved it, so fun.
It was so lovely to sit and wrap myself up in a warm story. To see love in action. I would have to limit myself to a set time, rush to get things done, and then have some more time with the Frosst's.
You, my dear, have written a delightful story. An opportunity to relax with characters that seem like good friends. It was lovely. I'm looking forward to reading it again, wrapped in a soft blanket, ready to feel warm from your words. Well done, Diane.
Kay
* * *
From the opening statement to the last summation, you had my full attention.
I loved how the story unfolded and kept me excited for the next turn of events. Diane has masterfully shaped the story of "Frosty the Snowman" into an enchanting composition I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams. I loved it from beginning to end.
And, Yes, it made me cry!
Christine
* * *
This was an awesome story, Diane. I love how your books give us the " facts" behind the legend.
I can't wait to buy several copies!
Sheila
* * *
"This story could not have come at a better time in my life. The story has love, joy, heartache and laughter. The remarkable courage, strength and perseverance Ben and Norma show through this story is a great life lesson. Many people can relate to this and gain insight and strength from it.
I also like that fact that we need to keep great inspiring people alive , or that the story of great people can fade
Thank you so much for sharing this story."
Alison
* * *
What an enchanting story! Disney should make a movie of this!
You made me cry!
* * *
Loved it, so fun.
It was so lovely to sit and wrap myself up in a warm story. To see love in action. I would have to limit myself to a set time, rush to get things done, and then have some more time with the Frosst's.
You, my dear, have written a delightful story. An opportunity to relax with characters that seem like good friends. It was lovely. I'm looking forward to reading it again, wrapped in a soft blanket, ready to feel warm from your words. Well done, Diane.
Kay
* * *
From the opening statement to the last summation, you had my full attention.
I loved how the story unfolded and kept me excited for the next turn of events. Diane has masterfully shaped the story of "Frosty the Snowman" into an enchanting composition I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams. I loved it from beginning to end.
And, Yes, it made me cry!
Christine
* * *
This was an awesome story, Diane. I love how your books give us the " facts" behind the legend.
I can't wait to buy several copies!
Sheila
* * *
First Review for Kris Kringle's Magic
Just finished Kris. I love it, I love it, I love it!!!! Now I must go clean up the tissue pile! But seriously, it is wonderful. Just finished. Is this the one that they are going to publish next? What a wonderful message as well as a fun story. But then, Carving Angels was the same way.
Bobbi Gray
Genealogist & Author
Bobbi Gray
Genealogist & Author
What People are Saying About Carving Angels:
This is the first book review of this type for me, but it isn’t difficult for ‘Carving Angels’. This is a wonderful story of love, family, and inspiration. It brings Santa, elves, reindeer, and Christmas into your home. It’s full of heart-warming situations and great lessons for little ones. While reading ‘Carving Angels’ to our 6 and 8 year old boys, we laughed and cried together, and imagined what a truly magical world we live in. Thank you, Mrs. Tolley, for sharing it with us. We will be watching the skies on Christmas Eve.
R. Craig Runyan, College Professor
R. Craig Runyan, College Professor
Darling, precious, sweet were the first adjectives I considered
using to describe Diane Tolley’s newest short story. Those are the
superficial impressions. Ms. Tolley has managed to pen a piece that is
filled with messages of compassion, tolerance, understanding, belief in
God’s abiding love and the power of love in our lives.
She does this within the pages of her book using a timeless subject,
the magic and mystery of the North Pole. While recommended for young
readers, a mother would enjoy this while reading to children not yet
reading on their own.
-Sharon King-Jeffers (author and poet)
I grew up on those corny claymation/cartoon Christmas specials from the 60’s and 70’s.
You know those ones you watched as a kid like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (“Didn't I ever tell you about Bumbles? Bumbles *bounce*!”), Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Who can forget “He took the Who’s feast, he took the Who pudding, he took the roast beast. He cleaned out that ice box as quick as a flash. Why, the Grinch even took their last can of Who hash”. Or “You're a vile one, Mr. Grinch, You have termites in your smile, you have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile, Mr. Gri-inch. Given the choice between the two of you, I'd take the uh... seasick crocodile.”
Can any of you even read that without the song playing in your head?)
We would gather around as a family, well, except my Dad as I think he was the last living relation to Ebenezer Scrooge, and watch Mr. Kreuger’s Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life (both with Jimmy Stewart), Miracle on 34th Street with Maureen O’Hara or White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.
I have wondered over the years why they don’t make good Christmas specials anymore, sometimes they remake them, like the new Miracle on 34th Street, or when Jim Carrey redid the Grinch, but they just don’t seem to be as good.
Have all the good stories been told?
Do we have no more legends to contribute? Perhaps it’s a sign of the politically correct times, can’t do Christmas in public and so new shows.
I just read a book by a very good friend of mine: Diane Tolley.
It’s called “Carving Angels” and it was just released last week.
The story is about a young elf named Amy who helps her old, blind grandfather regain his woodworking expertise and they secretly build a new sleigh for Santa when his old one is broken down and no longer able to fly.
“Carving Angels reminds us to never give up on ourselves, no matter what challenges come our way, and that the most beautiful creations come from the most unlikely sources.”
Diane has said she loves background stories, and she got the idea for her novel while looking at a picture of Santa riding in his sleigh.
"I wondered who made that sleigh," she said. "It's a very important part of the whole Santa story, the sleigh, and it had to be made by somebody."
It’s in a readable format for kids young and old (I consider myself in that last category), and has beautiful graphics. I loved the story, the way her old grandpa is taught by the wisdom and faith of a young child.
It’s a great read, I’m a guy and I hate to admit it, but I cried at the end. My kids will love it, I’m sure it’s destined to be a Christmas classic. I closed the book and thought, “This will be the next Christmas Special.” If it isn’t, it ought to be. Can’t you just see Tom Hanks as a snowman narrating the story ala Burl Ives?
Carving Angels is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and at Generations Bookstore, Chapters, Costco, Audrey’s Books and Greenwoods' Bookshoppe in Edmonton.
Logan Hippard, Author, Edmonton, AB