Liza Martini

Great stories should enthrall children and challenge the computer game, the cell phone, and the social networking. I want to reward children with literacy and an interest that goes beyond the “useful knowledge” syndrome and lays a broader foundation. I want to be someone who can whet the appetite for excellent writing, reading, and storytelling.

What Inspires me to write? There is no where on earth I'd rather be than in my garden. It is there I find fresh ideas, whether I'm pulling weeds or gazing up at the sky. Each plant, each creature, each phase of the growing season speaks to me. But when I labor for hours to free a honeysuckle from a parasitic vine, and I feel its gratitude as it heaves a sigh of relief, I am captivated by the story it would tell me . . . if only it could talk!

The Caroler is a Reedsy Discovery Five-Star Must Read! Here are some of the nice things reviewer Kristine L wrote:

Fans of The Velveteen Rabbit, Hans Christian Andersen and Beatrix Potter will find much to love in this gentle and heartwarming fantasy/fairy tale. It has a little bit of everything. Pitch-perfect pacing. Creativity. Spark. Spunk. Wonder. Enchantment. Romance. Full-bodied characters and a robust plot. Dramatic battle scenes. Winged hussars!

... So pour yourself a hot cuppa. Grab a blanket. Cozy into a comfy chair and get ready to lose yourself in this witty and captivating tale of love, loss, and redemption. It has all the earmarks of a Christmas classic and is sure to delight readers young old for years to come. It would make a good movie. Or even better, a ballet.

See the full review here: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/the-caroler-liza-martini#review

More good news: The Caroler received the Purple Dragonfly Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature. The award is sponsored by Story Monsters, a true friend to the indie publisher--Thank you Story Monsters! You can read more on my website: www.thebookkeep.org

Five Stars from The Book Commentary:

The Caroler by Liza Martini is a brilliant retelling of the tale of the Nutcracker, intelligently executed with lovable characters and strong plot points, bringing about a denouement that couldn’t be more satisfying.

Having been in a dark basement all along, Nutcracker no longer believes he can live any other way than the wooden manikin. That is until he awakens in his excelsior crate to discover other figurines, Carol and Glory, staring at him. When the Grace Light animates toys and dolls that have human likeness, Nutcracker finds it hard to reconnect to the person he once was, cursed and condemned to a life he abhors. But thanks to the patient prodding of Carol, who slowly touches his heart and moves him to step beyond the shell into which he has imprisoned himself. Can he ever find redemption and the goodness that once possessed his heart?

The atmospheric writing presents a detailed and expertly executed setting, with sounds, smells, and feel of things intelligently captured, from the heavy air after the rainfall, the smells of exhaust and pond water mixed with the steamy scent of popcorn to the warm summer feel at the opening pages of the tale. The suspense is strong and the readers are enthralled as they want to know what happens to Colonel Christoph Zacharias Drosselmeier, “Nutcracker” and if he can remember how to break the curse. While the humor is exacting, the writing is infused with magical realism and a unique sense of humanity. The story is peppered with lyrics that augment the poetic quality of the writing while creating a unique music to the ear. It is, indeed, a delightful read.

The Caroler is a beautiful tale that is filled with religious symbolism, a tale of light overcoming darkness, and a story of the triumph of goodness. The characters are stunningly imagined and written in a fascinating context. Liza Martini builds a strong plot while exploring Nutcracker’s backstory with ingenuity, allowing his background to influence the way he relates to other characters. In the end, it is an extraordinary work of art and beauty.

Reviewed By: Cristina Prescott

Reviewed Date: April 26, 2022

https://thebookcommentary.com/review-preview/506/the-caroler