Tag: christmas

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY: I Played My Best for Him! By Olapeju Simoyan

It’s a ho, ho, ho-liday book spotlight this Thursday as I am spotlighting the holiday historical, I Played My Best For Him!: The Inspiring Stories Behind The Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites. It welcomes readers to learn the fascinating true stories behind how their favorite holiday classics came to be. Ideal for that history or musical history lover in your life, I Played My Best for Him delves into how such classic holiday songs like “O Holy Night”, “Joy to the World,” and “Silent Night” were birthed by each composer and lyricist. Including the “Little Drummer Boy” when the title is inspired by.

 Olapeju said, “The stories behind these songs are as moving as the music itself. In 2023, I recorded an album featuring 13 popular Christmas songs, and this book is a collection of essays that tell the inspiring stories behind those songs.”

I Played My Best for Him (The Inspiring Stories Behind The Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites

Published: October 30, 2025

Genre: Books, Music, Musical genre, Sacred hymns

Pages: 100

This second edition has a new foreword by Dr. Mary Rorro, Chair of the American Medical Women’s Association’s Music and Medicine Committee, as well as a new postscript.

This collection of essays complements the album “Peju Sings! The Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites,” which features thirteen Christmas songs recorded by the author and was first released in 2023. In this book, the author explores the stories behind each song, delving into the lives of the lyricists and composers, the context in which the songs were written, and other intriguing details. Readers will gain a fresh perspective on beloved carols like “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” as they uncover their rich history. The themes of hope and peace that resonate through these timeless songs are also reflected in newer classics like “Feliz Navidad,” which transcended cultural barriers to become a bilingual favorite.

This book’s educational content will appeal to a broad audience, including those who may not celebrate Christmas. For those who do, it offers surprising insights into the origins of some of their favorite carols. No matter your background, this book invites you to be inspired by its stories and enjoy its message of celebration and reflection year-round.

GET IT BY CHRISTMAS! AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Olapeju Simoyan (a.k.a. The Doctor Writer and The Doctor Singer) is an addiction medicine physician, professor and longtime advocate for the intersection of art and science. She helped establish medical humanities programs at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and Reading Hospital, and has served as editor of several literary journals.

She combines her writing and photography in The Amazing World of Butterflies and Giraffes are Amazing. Her other books include the devotional Living Foolproof! Wisdom for Daily Living and the academic memoir Girls Become Doctors and Much More. Along with Dr. William Santoro, she co-authored Navigating the Methadone Maze: A Guide for Patients and Professionals.

Follow Olapeju www.thedoctorwriter.com and on Instagram @drsimo1, or LinkedIn at Olapeju SImoyan, MD, MPH

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Book Review: A Very Pagan Christmas by JC Brown and Lena Lane

Feeling festive? Instead of a Book Spotlight yesterday, I bring you today a holiday book review! Join me as we check out A Very Pagen Christmas by JC Brown and Lena Lane!

Title: A Very Pagan Christmas

Author(s): JC Brown and Lena Lane

Genre: Holiday Romance, paranormal romance

Release Date: June 27th, 2025

Format: Kindle

Pages: 105

Nicholas is a veterinarian and a man of science. He has no patience for the nonsense of natural remedies and herbal fix-it-alls. So when he meets Dahlia, an employee of The Blueberry Apothecary, he’s disappointed that she’s a believer of magical nonsense. But their worlds keep colliding.

As a born witch, magic is everywhere in Dahlia’s world, even in her blood. But considering the history between humans and witches, she hides it from everyone. And the sexy vet who’s taking care of her familiar is no different. It’s too bad, though, since he’s so cute.

Can their words come together? Or will their differences tear them apart?

Available on AMAZON

REVIEW

A Very Pagan Christmas is not my normal read. I usually run away from holiday romances like the black plague. I must say, though, A Very Pagan Christmas was surprisingly charming. We meet Dahlia and her feisty familiar calico, Theo. When Dalia thinks Theo is sick, she takes her to the vet, where she meets the hunky vet Nicolas. Nick is drawn to Dahlia, but when he learns she works at the Blueberry Apothecary, which sells herbal remedies, he becomes hesitant about his feelings cause she really can’t believe in that witch stuff, can she? Oh, but she does.

Nick and Dahlia keep crossing paths, though, and their banter is quite hilarious because Nick doesn’t believe in magic and Dahlia does. When Nick’s brother, a priest, asks the Apothecary to help in a fundraiser, Nick flips out because how can a Pagan go into a church? Dahlia mifed attend decked all out in witchy attire. I just love Dahlia, by the way!

 I did, though, have an issue with it ending flatly. The book led me through the exposition, rising action, and climax so well, but then faltered in the resolution. Still, A Very Pagan Christmas is a great Sunday-afternoon quick read that will delight your holiday romance fancy. 

My Rating: ⭐ ⭐⭐1/2 out of /5 stars