2015 Holiday Gift Guide—Books

Screen Shot 2015-12-15 at 4.45.56 PMEight Broads in the Kitchen Cookbook

Based on their popular blog, eight dynamic innkeepers from across the US share a number of quick, easy-to-follow recipes in a tantalizing tome that is chock full of guest favorites and easy to fall in love with.

Between them, the eight broads have served over 184,200 breakfasts in their combined 150 years with delectable dishes ranging from Garden Baked Eggs and Glazed Bacon to Pomegranate Ginger Muffins and Raspberry Kiwi Trifle. These delicious dishes frequently include regional specialties – often from sustainable sources – that ensure every guest’s travel experience features unique local flavors and freshness. From healthy to hearty and sweet to savory, the “Eight Broads in the Kitchen” cookbook serves up something special for everyone.  

“Eight Broads in the Kitchen” retails for $29.95 and is available for purchase at the Eight Broads’ online storefront, www.eightbroadsinthekitchen.com.


American St. Nick

Touching World War II story, “American St. Nick” will warm your home this holiday season. 

Peter Lion’s book “American St. Nick” tells the story of a group of American soldiers who brought Christmas to a war torn town in Luxembourg and unknowingly started a tradition that continues to this day.  

“American St. Nick” tells the remarkable TRUE story of a handful of American soldiers who, during the chaos of war, help bring Christmas back a small Luxembourg town and unknowingly create a holiday tradition that continues to this very day.

While the GIs called it a Christmas party, the people of Wiltz considered it a celebration of their St. Nicholas Day, a holiday that precedes Christmas but was outlawed under Nazi rule. One of the soldiers even borrowed the mass robes of the local priest, dressed as St. Nicholas, and rode through town in a Jeep, greeting the children and passing out presents. Ten days after the celebration, German forces overran Wiltz during the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, Wiltz was rebuilt and the town began the tradition of the American St. Nicholas as they re-enacted the original procession that took place during the war. Years later, the original American St. Nicholas was able to return to Wiltz to meet those that he had inspired during the war and participate in their continued Christmas celebrations.

“American St. Nick” is a thrilling and heart-warming holiday classic that will amaze, entertain and delight.


Fearless & Fabulous

Cedar Fort “Fearless & Fabulous” author to lead retreat at the Costa Baja Resort & Spa in Mexico. 

“Fearless & Fabulous” Retreat Led By Award-Winning Cedar Fort Author & Certified Wellness Coach Melanie Young  at Costa Baja Resort & Spa, Mexico February 25-29, 2016

Whale watching, healthy food, and a reinvigorating approach to living your life — all with a beautiful view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Sounds like a taste of heaven, right? This can be yours! Certified wellness coach, award-winning Cedar Fort author and radio host Melanie Young has partnered with Retreats Unlimited to host life affirming, one-on-one sessions and workshops with participants who register for her reinvigorating Fearless & Fabulous Retreat. This retreat is scheduled for February 25-29, 2016, at the five-star Costa Baja Resort, just steps away from the soothing shores of the Sea of Cortez.

Participants will enjoy a five-day, four-night retreat, with sea view room accommodations (double or single occupancy), meals plus handouts on healthy meals and recipes, a private one-on-one consultation with Young, a personalized copy of Young’s award winning books “Getting Things Off My Chest: A Survivor’s Guide to Staying Fearless & Fabulous in the Face of Breast Cancer” and “Fearless Fabulous You! Lessons on Living Life on Your Terms” plus other goodies.

Young’s take on life includes the following: “I’m a strong believer there are three types of people in the world: The optimist sees the cup of wine half full. The pessimist sees the cup of wine half empty. The opportunist drinks the wine. I choose to drink the wine.”

A 25+ year wine and food professional, Young will share her approach to food, drink, and nutrition that focuses on healthy, flavorful and pleasurable with specially selected menus and wines. Morning power walks, yoga sessions and of course a one-to-one consultation with Young will take place during this event.

Guests can also expect the following:

The focus will be addressing a healthy mind-body connection through

  • Taking a smart, healthy and pleasurable approach to eating well.
  • Learning to manage and knock down emotional barriers (for example, stress, self-criticism, self-comparing and toxic people/situations)
  • Putting yourself first: health diet, exercise and “Me” time.
  • Expanding your mind to rekindle your passion and talents
  • Rethinking how you want to live and what you want to give and get.
  • setting goals
  • yoga/meditation

Beyond the retreat, guests will want to enjoy this five-star luxury resort, indulging spa treatments, whale watching or exploring the local flavor of the Baja California Sur! Either way, there will be personal time set aside for participants to reflect and relax and discover this 500-acre environmentally protected playground home to whales, dolphins, sea lions and vibrant coral reefs.


merlinbookThe Wisdom of Merlin: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life

The Wisdom of Merlin: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life, a pocket-sized inspirational book by bestselling author T.A. Barron that’s a perfect gem for parents or grandparents to give their kids. Best part – it’s only $13.

The book is based off his bestselling Merlin Saga, which was recently optioned as a major motion picture by Disney, with the script to be penned by Lord of the Rings screenwriter Philippa Boyens.

Give the Gift of Inspiration
Courtesy of the Greatest Wizard of All Time

This holiday season give a gift that inspires New Year’s resolutions that will last forever. Merlin, the most famous wizard of all time, shares the secret to living a more meaningful life in a pocket-sized book filled with wisdom grounded in seven words.

The Huffington Post writes, “Sometimes, it’s the most fantastical, fictional characters that do the best job of teaching us about reality.” New York Times bestselling author T.A. Barron’s THE WISDOM OF MERLIN: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life originated as a celebrated speech at Oxford and is the culmination of years of research and writing about the great wizard.

“I have written so many books about Merlin that sometimes I feel like I have actually met the great wizard,” says Barron.  And so he has often thought about how Merlin would respond if asked “What is the meaning of life?” Surprisingly, the answer is found in just seven words.

In THE WISDOM OF MERLIN: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life, Barron, with Merlin as his guide, explores gratitude, courage, knowledge, belief, wonder, generosity, hope, and one more: love. Merlin introduces each of the magical words, while offering words of wisdom throughout, such as:

“Being fully scheduled is not the same as being fully alive.”

“What you’ll most regret is not what you tried and failed—but what you never tried at all.”

“To wonder is to open the doorway to imagination…that leads to appreciation, creativity and fulfillment.”

For more information on the author, please visit www.tabarron.com


Book of the Month

This subscription service sends its members 1 book a month (they get to pick from 5 new options each month) and operates similarly to other incredibly popular of ecommerce companies offering curated monthly mailers such as BirchBox, Blue Apron, Loot Crate, etc.

Founded in 1926 and newly relaunched after a year’s hiatus, BOTM has provided avid readers a chance to  get access to great books (selected by a panel of esteemed judges)and interact with fellow readers all for incredibly low monthly rates (under $9!). Past guest judges have included Mayim Bialik, Nina Sankovitch, Joel Stein and Bill Goldstein – with additional exciting names to come.


man minuteThe Man Minute: 60 Seconds Can Change Your Life

This is a great book idea for all the hunters or outdoorsmen on our gift lists! Jason Cruise, who is a popular host from “The Sportsman Channel” just released a terrific book called The Man Minute: 60 Seconds Can Change Your Life which will make a great gift. It also includes a bonus DVD that features 4 memorable hunts with guest appearances from fellow hunting experts!

If you have friends or a loved one that is a hunter, you know that hunters are a rare breed, and Jason acknowledges that! They endure freezing temps, sleep deprivation, mind numbing boredom, etc., and some of us may wonder why. Here’s a special message from Jason for those of us that have these kinds of questions!  https://youtu.be/0ed2oIHghCE

In this latest book of his, Jason Cruise delivers a unique daily devotional packed with plenty of personal stories, hunting expeditions, as well as wisdom and biblical insights that will inspire men to be a better leader, husband, father, and friend. Each “Man Minute” is designed to be read in just 60 seconds, yet these short, powerful insights will have a lifelong impact on their life and spiritual journey.