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Merry Christmas from TWN–The Toymaker’s Doll by E.G. Bella Blog Tour Book Review

December 25, 2021 / 20 Comments

Merry, Merry, Christmas, TWNers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

via GIPHY

I hope all of y’all are having and will continue to have a fantastic holiday!! Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year!! But as you celebrate, in whatever way you do, don’t forget the reason for the season!! 2,000 years ago God’s only Son came to Earth. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 KJV) 

Now, I’m sure you’ve probably noticed by now, I don’t usually post on holidays but I just couldn’t turn down a chance to help in the blog tour of E.G. Bella‘s debut short story’s release!!!! So I thought I’d make an exception!! Before we jump into my review of The Toymaker’s Doll, let’s learn a little more about it first!!!!!

Book Cover

A limp. A scuff. A cowardly heart.

Jane is a doll struggling with all these things. She and her friend Isabel, a blind stuffed kitten, spend their days in the corner of their shelf, watching the other toys in the shop play—and wishing they could be like them.

Questions plague the friends. Why has the Toymaker allowed them to be flawed? Surely it’s a mistake. One day, Jane sets off to find his workshop, eager to be fixed, and to bring him back for Isabel.

But the journey is hard and the road long. How can such a weak, fearful doll ever reach the Toymaker? And how will he respond if she does?

In this sweet story reminiscent of a children’s book, E. G. Bella offers a moving tale of what it means to trust, to love, and to shine light into the dark discouragements of life.

My review

This was just beautiful!!!!

E.G. Bella has proved herself to be an author to keep an eye out for with this masterfully written allegorical short story that will tug at your heartstrings and deeply move you to see yourself and the world through the Creator’s eyes.

I was blown away by the incredible storytelling talent E.G. Bella displayed in such a short and sweet tale. From the moment Jane and Isabel arrived on the scene, I KNEW I was in love with those two characters. (I mean, I kinda HAVE to love Isabel since we share the same name. Couldn’t have picked a better name if I do say so myself. 😂) I loved watching Jane’s growth through the tale and the courage she had to find the Toymaker for her friend’s sake. Her immense love, compassion, and kindness are both emotionally moving and inspiring. I also loved how she had flaws, desires, goals, dreams, etc., which made for a well-rounded character. Her journey is one you will want to take with her and readers will be rooting for Jane the entire way through, desperate for her success!

The whole message at the end… *clutches heart* Y’all IT WAS JUST SO TEARY-EYED GORGEOUS AND BREATH-TAKING!!!!! *squeals* I know it definitely left me with such a deep impression on my heart and if that doesn’t prove serious talent, well, I don’t know what does!!!

This story has a very childlike feel to it which I thought added a deeper level to its meaning. It all mixed so well to pull the reader in and get lost for a few pages and left inspired by the end. I recommend this story to Christian readers who want a character-driven touching tale!!! Seriously, just go read it!!!

Notable quote(s)

“And all was not perfect, but it was very good.”

Check out more of my reviews here.

*A copy of this e-book was given by the author. This is my honest review*

Grab your copy today!!!

Put it on your Goodreads shelf

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Wanna follow the whole blog tour?

Just go along with this handy-dandy graphic image right below 👇

About the author

E. G. Bella is a bookworm-turned-author whose early love for stories prompted her to start filling notebooks with them when she was just four years old. She’s never looked back. Now, with a passion for cheesy puns, colorful characters, and contagious faith, she writes in a wide variety of genres, striving to craft memorable and page-turning tales the whole family can enjoy.

When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or gushing about her stories to anyone within earshot, Bella can be found sipping warm coffee, reading emotional books, and harmonizing with the radio. Sometimes all at once.

You can visit her at www.egbella.com, where she blogs weekly about life, writing, and what she’s learning about both. While you’re there, join her email list to receive her writing announcements and new releases early, and some special gifts!

Keep on being awesome and never stop writing!

Issabelle Perry

Issabelle Perry is a proud Jesus follower, an extroverted writer, and a homeschool graduate. When she's not writing, you can find her reading, jamming to Skillet, studying history, hunting for Narnia in wardrobes, or envisioning herself wielding a magnificent sword (but due to her clumsiness, let’s hope that never happens). This self-proclaimed exclamation mark enthusiast can be found hanging out at Teen Writers’ Nook, a community of teen authors Issabelle co-founded in 2020. She is the author of Don't Let Me Go (Sky's the Limit Press 2024), May We Make Them Proud (2023), and a co-editor for two anthologies. What she’s probably doing right now is fangirling about her favorite books to random people or scanning the pantries for chocolate.

20 Comments

  • Ally M.J.

    December 25, 2021 at 10:46 pm Reply

    Um…
    Hey guys remember me?
    I should be able to be on here more
    Anyways, let’s pretend I didn’t vanish into the abyss
    This story sounds so good! It reminds me of a book my mom would read to me when I was younger 🙂

    • Issabelle Perry

      December 26, 2021 at 9:46 pm Reply

      Heya, Ally, long time, no chat. How has life been? Hahahaha, yeah, I still remember you. XD Oooo that’s AWESOME. Then I look forward to seeing you around. <33333333

      Lol. XD Done.😂
      YES IT DOES!!! I know right!!! Awww, really? That is sooooo awesome!!!! It definitely has that childhood reminiscent feel, and reminding you of a story your mom read to you when you were younger just gives it even more of that feeling I'm sure!!! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for reading and commenting and Merry Christmas!!!!

    • Issabelle Perry

      December 26, 2021 at 9:47 pm Reply

      YESSSSSSSSS YOU DO, GIRL!!!!!! *tries to give you the book through my computer* (Lol, Ikr? I need to figure out how the whole Kindle thing works cuz without getting a copy from the author, I wouldn’t have been able to read it!!)
      Merry Christmas, and thank you SOOOO much for reading and commenting. <3333

  • Addie H.

    December 26, 2021 at 4:20 pm Reply

    Merry Christmas, Issa!!! It has been wayyyy too long since I have been on TWN because WordPress apparently unfollowed it. 🙁 Anyway, I’m back (like it or not😂) Hope you had a great Christmas! <33

    • Issabelle Perry

      December 26, 2021 at 9:50 pm Reply

      MERRY CHRISTMAS ADDIE!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahaha, girl, I FEEL you. It’s been forever after since I’ve been over to your blog. I need to make reading over there a top priority because I always do so enjoy your posts!! Ooops that is so frustrating. 🙁 WordPress can be SO crazy sometimes. *shrugs* Hahaha, GIRL I AM SO EXCITED TO HEAR THAT!!!!! *high fives* It’s great to have you back. *hugs* Awww THANK YOU!!! I hope you had a spectacular Christmas too!!!!

  • Saraina

    December 28, 2021 at 5:16 pm Reply

    Merry Christmas!! Ahh that was a fantastic review!!! And YES that quote “And all was not perfect, but it was very good”… well, it was indeed VERY good lol!!

    • Issabelle Perry

      January 2, 2022 at 4:17 pm Reply

      MERRY CHRISTMAS, SARAINA!!!!!!!!!!!!! D’awww, girl, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I am super happy to hear you think so!!! AAAH YES I KNOW RIGHT!!!!! When I had first read it, I was SOOO desperate for the author to put the story up on Goodreads JUST so I could share that quote!!! LOVED IT!!! YES!!! Lol, but that is SO true! 😉

      THANKS for stopping by. <3

  • Lorelei Angelino

    December 31, 2021 at 1:35 pm Reply

    Wow, this sounds soooo sweet!!! (Reminds me of The Story of Holly and Ivy kinda…and Corduroy! 😊 *mind wanders to childhood*)
    Thanks for your thoughts, Izzy!!! (OK and what’s this Heir to Her Throne book? WHY AM I JUST SEEING IT!?!?🤩😍)

    • Issabelle Perry

      January 2, 2022 at 4:25 pm Reply

      Girl, IT IS!!!!! I think it’d be a story you’d REALLY enjoy!!!! Highly recommend. 😉 (Ooo that’s AWESOME!! I’ve never heard of The Story of Holly and Ivy, but it sounds cool. Aaah, and yes, Corduroy. Oh, the good ole days… *mind also wanders to childhood* *contented sigh*)
      Awww, of course, Lorelei!!! I LOVED writing the review. And THANK YOUUU for reading!!!! (Hahahaha, well, glad you asked. 😉 That’s the sequel to Heir to His Crown. I’ve JUST started writing it, and am hoping to get a lot done during CWW! *crosses fingers* We’ll see what happens. Are you doing CWW this time?)

      • Lorelei Angelino

        January 12, 2022 at 10:27 am Reply

        😂 *sighs with you*

        SEQUEL?!! *is so excited* WOW you’re already so far into it!!! (So I’m guessing you got a lot of writing in during CWW? 🦩) *fist bumps*

        • Issabelle Perry

          January 14, 2022 at 4:15 pm Reply

          YES SEQUEL!!!!!!!!!! And actually the first one I’ve ever come so far in. 😅 *squeals and gets even more excited* Hahahaha, yeah, I got like 55K words written during CWW and now I’m officially burned out. *makes sure no peacocks are around then whispers #GoMingos ;P* *fist bumps back* I hope CWW was awesome for you and you made a lot of progress. <33333

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