2010 November 12

Book Review: The Peanuts Collection: Treasures from the World’s Most Beloved Comic Strip

Title: The Peanuts Collection: Treasures from the World’s Most Beloved Comic Strip
Author: Nat Gertler
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: October 25, 2010
Paperback: 64 pages
ISBN: 978-0316086103
Genre: Comics and Graphic Novels

From the Publisher:

This fully authorized, one-of-a-kind illustrated book celebrates the 60th anniversary of the world’s most beloved comic strip characters. A compendium of rare materials from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and family archives, The Peanuts Collection comes in a sturdy slipcase and features high-quality reproductions of original sketches, comics, and photographs from the world of Peanuts. Removable film cels, stickers, and booklets are included, as well as reproduction prints of Peanuts artwork ready for framing.

My Review:

The Peanut’s Collection: Treasures From the World’s Most Beloved Comic Strip by Nat Gertler makes a beautiful gift for Peanuts fans from young to old, collector to those relatively new to the charms of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang. Beautifully packaged, this book represents 60 years of comic book history with fascinating facts about not only the Peanuts comics, but also its creator Charles Schulz. Inside the book there are removable sticker sheets, artwork suitable for framing, books, brilliant copies of original drafts, holiday animation cels from the most beloved holiday specials, a cookbook courtesy of Snoopy, and so very much more. I found myself fascinated by this brilliant compilation of Schulz’s life work, learning more about this creative man and his beloved characters. I would highly recommend The Peanut’s Collection: Treasures From the World’s Most Beloved Comic Strip as a book to buy not only for oneself, but to also give as gifts.

About the Author:

Nat Gertler is a comics guy, but not just a comics guy. Sure, he has a collection of over 1000 Peanuts and Peanuts-related books, and runs blog.AAUGH.com for Peanuts book fans. And yes, he’s the publisher of the About Comics line and the the co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel. And it’s true he’s the creator of Licensable BearTM. But Nat was raised on a diet of Asimov and Ellery Queen, and so likes books in general. He has contributed to everything from real estate guides to horror anthologies to computer how-to books. Nat earned his BA from Simon’s Rock College at age 18, and now lives with Dr. Lara Gertler and their two children in Camarillo, CA.

I received a complimentary copy of The Peanuts Collection by Nat Gertler from Hachette to review. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Book Review and Tour: The Portrait by Hazel Statham

Title: The Portait
Author: Hazel Statham
Publisher: Avalon Books
Publication Date: August 6, 2010
Paperback: 192 pages
ISBN: 978-0803477872
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Book Synopsis:

England 1812

Severely injured at the battle of Salamanca, Edward Thurston, the new Earl of Sinclair, returns home to his beloved Fly Hall. Determined not to present his prospective bride with the wreck he believes himself to have become, he decides to end his betrothal, unaware that Lady Jennifer, for vastly differing reasons, has reached the selfsame decision.

Throughout the campaigns, Edward was often seen relying greatly on a miniature he carried, and it is to this token he clings upon his return. Will he eventually find happiness with the girl in the portrait, or will he remain firm in his resolve not to wed? Reason dictates one course, his heart another.

My Review:

The Portrait by Hazel Statham is an absolutely endearing historical romance novel set in the early 19th century. Earl Edward Sinclair has recently returned home to Fly Hall after losing an arm in the battle of Salamanca and is trying valiantly to adjust to his new status, title, and limitations as well as his decision to set Lady Jennifer Lynton free of their engagement. Jenny and Sinclair agree to be friends, much to the dismay of their respective family members and their growing friendship provides fodder for the social season. Statham cleverly creates a cast of strong, relatable and delightfully fun characters. Both major and minor characters are certain to delight the reader in Statham’s charming story as forces work to try and bring Edward and Jennifer together through their younger siblings, Perry and Freddie, and their continuous and at times hilarious misdeeds as well as scandals. Statham has a special manner about her writing which gently draws the reader into the story. I look forward to reading some of her other works. The Portrait is a sweet and enjoyable novel, which is certain to delight readers who enjoy a tender and family-centered historical romance.

About the Author:

Hazel Statham lives in England and has been writing on and off since she was fifteen. Initially she was influenced by Austen, the Brontës, and Sabatini but when she turned seventeen, Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She immediately knew she had found her eras and wanted nothing more than to re-create them in her work.

Her latest book is the Regency romance novel, The Portrait, released by Avalon Books in August 2010.

Hazel lives with her husband, Terry, and a beautiful Labrador named Mollie. Apart from writing, her other ruling passion is animals, and until recently she acted as treasurer for an organization that raised money for animal charities.

You can visit her online at www.hazel-statham.co.uk and her blog at http://hazelstatham.blogspot.com/

Hazel Statham’s THE PORTRAIT VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR ‘10 officially began on November 1 and ends on November 26, 2010. You can visit Hazel’s blog stops here during the months of October and November to find out more about this great book and talented author!

I received a complimentary copy of The Portrait by Hazel Statham from Pump Up Your Book Promotion as part of the tour. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.