Far below the beautiful, snow covered mountains, beyond the dense forest, snuggled in the quiet, serene valley, lies tiny Ickle Village. The home to all snow people! Each year, new snow people come to settle in, build their homes and live the wonderful life given to them by the Power of the Mountains. This little story evolved from my hobby of making, painting, decorating and selling miniature wooden snow people. While working on them, I imagine them doing different things, having different expressions and try to create them in that fashion. Many, many hours have been spent in this wonderful fantasy world of snow people.
Far below the beautiful, snow covered mountains, beyond the dense forest, snuggled in the quiet, serene valley, lies tiny Ickle Village. The home to all snow people! Each year, new snow people come to settle in, build their homes and live the wonderful life given to them by the Power of the Mountains. This little story evolved from my hobby of making, painting, decorating and selling miniature wooden snow people. While working on them, I imagine them doing different things, having different expressions and try to create them in that fashion. Many, many hours have been spent in this wonderful fantasy world of snow people.
Somewhere in the north, where the winters are long, the adults decide to brighten their children's days by creating snow figures. While the children sleep, their elders create snowpeople. Eventually, the lake is surrounded with them. Word gets around, and people come to see the marvelous figures. But snow doesn't last forever, and when the snowpeople melt, the villagers must find another way to keep the spirit of the snowpeople alive in their hearts.
This is a legend of a time long ago, retold many times to many generations. It is of love and adventure and of good versus evil. Growing up, Snow was a shy boy, and Little Rose was a skinny, pesky girl. They lived in a village next to a river that flowed through the beautiful, peaceful valley that was their world. Their valley had all that their people needed and wanted: fish to catch in the river, game in the woods to hunt, and berries, roots, grain, and herbs to be gathered. All in their village worked together, making life good. Their peace and harmony are shattered. Challenges are forced on Snow, Little Rose, and their people. Courageous deeds define a hero. Legends are created by people that are much more than heroes. Legends are created by those that inspire their people with great virtues. Snow and Little Rose are thrust into many situations not of their making or desires. With a good heart, determination, and a lot of good luck, they become much more than they thought they could be. The great spirits created men and women to bond together to become more than the sum of them as individuals.
The third book in the Aletheia Adventure Series sees the return of Jack Merryweather and Timmy Trial from Book 1. Just before Christmas, Jack and Timmy find themselves in the land of Err, in the middle of a ferocious snowstorm. They are lost and alone, and courageously set out to find their friends who are part of the Christmas mission in the town of Broken. There are many dangers and troubles on their journey, and, at last, they are so fiercely attacked by the Meddlers of Err that they can go no further. But there is a purpose in their strange and broken journey: Jack and Timmy must take one more trek into danger to help someone who is badly broken. They really need rescuing themselves, so how can they rescue the lost? Do the two boys have the faith and courage to battle against the creatures of Err? And will they ever make it to safety in time for Christmas? Through the adventure, this book explores truth from the Bible. This book can be enjoyed on its own - without reading the rest of the series.
Kimber I’m a city girl and proud of it. Chicago is my hometown and I’m in my element surrounded by people and buildings and busyness. Actually, my business – my vlog – depends on my interactions with people. You can’t go viral talking about your pet turtle. Well, maybe some people can, but that’s not how I became a highly paid influencer. I was happy to use my influence to help my grandmother, Agnes, save her assisted care facility. I thought I was going to hate being out in the wilderness for days on end…bugs and bears and no internet or sushi bars. To my surprise, I kind of…liked it. To my further surprise, I found myself wanting to linger around our tour guide, Bain. He’s a rugged, outdoorsy type – not the kind of guy I’ve ever found attractive. But he was so good at what he did – just tough and rugged and unafraid of anything. Who doesn’t find confidence and competence in a man attractive? Regardless, while I am going back out to Idaho to attend a wedding, and some small part of me wants to see Bain again, the bigger, more sophisticated part of me knows that there will never be anything between us unless of course, The Snowstorm of the Century happens to occur while I’m there and we take a snowmobile ride, get lost, find our way to a remote cabin and ride out the storm in blissful (or not so blissful) seclusion. But, come on, what are the odds of that happening? Bain Pretty good, it turns out. Back east, I’ve heard they call those late spring snows “sugar snows” because of the maple syrup and such. For me, here in Idaho, I just call it what it is: perfect timing for me and my sweet snowstorm. Reviews for Me and the Sweet Snowstorm: ★★★★★ "Each book in the Good Grief, Idaho series is full of fascinating characters, wonderful humour with and a sweet, unexpected romance. This book is no exception." - Rebmay ★★★★★ "...if you want a heart melting story about two very different people who find out that you really can build on feelings of attraction, you'll like this book. ." - Alison ★★★★★ "This is another wonderful installment by Jessie Gussman about a colorful cast of characters in Good Grief, Idaho. It makes me wish I could pack a bag and go visit this bunch - especially Miss Agnes! She's the best!" - Tracey ★★★★★ "I thought my favorite thing about romance stories was watching the couple recognize they loved each other, but I realize that my favorite thing is watching them figure out how to be together." - MaryEllen ★★★★★ "Oh my gosh, I just love Good Grief, Idaho. All the characters are lovable and maybe slightly crazy." - Lucia Books in the Sweet, Small Town Romantic Comedy in Good Grief, Idaho series: Me and the Cute Catastrophe Me and the Tidy Tornado Me and the Helpful Hurricane Me and the Sweet Snowstorm Me and the Dreamy Doomsday
There's a silence in a snowy dawn that forces you to look anew at what has been transformed from the customary landscape of your day-to-day life. Dogwoods glisten in their silver finery; bowing fir limbs form a secret cathedral." This article appears in the Spring 2012 issue of Southern Cultures. The full issue is also available as an ebook. Southern Cultures is published quarterly (spring, summer, fall, winter) by the University of North Carolina Press. The journal is sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Center for the Study of the American South.
