Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!
While it's almost time for the candy holiday, there's another one right around the corner. That's right. You can almost hear the iconic Mariah Carey getting right now, but ALMOST is the operative word. She hasn't quite opened the flood gates of the season, however I'm definitely in the mindset of "we need a little Christmas now ", if you know what I mean. 😉 With that in mind, allow me to introduce today's blog tour guest via The Children's Book Review as it blows an air horn full of holiday cheer....
by
Illustrated by
Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages
9798891383333
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2025)
About the book...
With the reindeer sick and Christmas on the line, how on Earth will Santa get all of those toys to those good girls and boys?
Don’t worry—With 18 wheels, a little help from his friends, and a lot of milk and cookies, Santa has a plan!
Climb aboard and join Saint Nick and his pals as they make the most important delivery of the year!
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GUEST POST
Finding Ideas and Inspiration: O Muse, Where Art Thou?
...by J. Brandon Boron
As a songwriter and author (currently peddling my children’s picture book Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh, available now from Mascot Kids), I am often asked where I find my ideas and inspiration. As you can imagine, there are volumes written on the topic, and I always find it entertaining and enlightening to hear how other writers harness their muse. So (perhaps a bit presumptuously), I will share with you my relationship with that capricious lover, inspiration, and where I think she hides. But first, let’s discuss the difference between work and inspiration.
Besides an admiration for artisans of the verbal type, I also have a great appreciation for craftspeople and folks that build things with their hands—artists in their own right. I too love the planning, the attention to detail, the thoughtfulness, and the execution of those plans (perhaps realized as a cabinet, bookshelf, or home) through skill and labor. And, just as the carpenter labors, so too does the writer. It’s toiling that brings an idea to life, that makes “the idea” physical, seen, felt, or heard. It takes what one might call “work.” But what about “the idea”? It’s one thing to say to yourself, “I sure could use a table,” and yet another to say, “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds seems like a great idea for a song.”
Mr. Sandman, Bring Me a Great Idea
We’ve all heard stories of artists recounting how “it came to me in a dream” or “I had a vision.” Though never one to shy from using artistic license, I too was always a bit skeptical (if not jealous) of this pronouncement from those gifted, chosen few. That is until it hit me without warning one afternoon, blissfully napping.
Several years ago, I had been working on a song, on and off for several days, yet couldn’t seem to find the right lyrics or idea for the “middle eight” (as Sir Paul McCartney and the three other bugs referred to what most of us musicians call the bridge of a tune). Accepting defeat, I lay down for a bit of a nap, and lo and behold, as I drifted off to la-la-land, a new idea and words began to flow like wine. Really good wine. Fortunately, I had enough awareness and (more importantly) discipline to get up and begin toiling away again at the tune. Blessed with this new idea delivered unto me, I finished the song (which I am honored to have performed recently at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee). But was this cherished delivery laid at my feet set there by a sacred courier?
O, Thank Heaven!
So, what of this siren song of the muse, who by grace may deliver that oft-vexing “idea”? The idea of the muse dates to ancient Greece, where muses were gods and did what gods do—help us mortals make sense of this thing we call life. They offer us comfort, strength, and structure. They give us hope and help explain the unknown. And if you trust in them, they may even take the blame for stuff you do (or don’t do). Muse, my trusted darling, it’s your fault. We absolve ourselves of the sin of unoriginality. Yet please, continue to inspire me!
Can I Get Her Contact Info?
But first we must find her. Alas, the million-dollar question: What is the secret to summon her? Where does she hide? Pray tell, conjurers and summoners, shamans and necromancers. As we have seen, sometimes she will visit, whimsically, only after we have given up. Perhaps in a dream. Perhaps as we skillfully navigate around other (less gifted) motorists about our city streets. I will often meet her on a walk, preoccupied with any other thought. Sometimes in the shower. Oh my. But generally, never where I’m looking. Now you see her, now you don’t. She’s an aberration, a parallax, a paradox, perhaps just a dream. She’s unrequited, unlisted. Was she that “Scam Likely” call I didn’t answer. Oh no!
In the End, Was She Just a Dream?
It does beg the question, “Is she real?” Surely, she must be. After all, as artists we’ve all felt the electricity of her touch. Just as lightning brought Frankenstein to life, so does the spark of inspiration ignite our passion to create art: physical, seen, felt, and heard works from nothing. Life. It’s certainly comforting and exciting to believe there are higher powers at work in our lives. That we are somehow conduits in some existential circuit board governing some greater purpose (aren’t we?). But does she, Ms. Muse, deserve all the credit? I don’t think so—I believe we deserve a little credit too.
Ask Not What She Can Do for You
So, if you are wondering where I find inspiration (and perhaps you are on your own quest to find her), I challenge you: as you patiently await another visit from that capricious lover, be godly. Find inspiration and enthusiasm in the everyday. As you walk. As you drive. As you spend time with the living. Maybe even as you nap. I’m confident you will find plenty of inspiration all around you.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. Brandon Boron was born in Great Falls, Montana, but has spent most of his life traversing the United States and beyond.
After studying art, music, and biology at CSU, UMass, and UNLV, Brandon joined the US Army, where he has spent the last two decades serving as a military musician across Europe, the Middle East, and the US.
In addition to his military service, Brandon loves writing and performing music with his wife, Thordis, and camping together with their dog, Tjindu.
To learn more, visit poletopoleexpress.com
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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Shaun Ivie is an illustrator based in Washington who specializes in colorful, imaginative illustrations full of humor and adventure. His illustrations are designed to inspire children and parents to engage in exploration and creativity, to find value in one another, and to love unconditionally through shared imagination. Big or small, he enjoys collaborating on projects to craft fun, colorful stories that explore every reach of a child’s imagination.
When he is not illustrating, you can find him adventuring throughout the great Pacific Northwest with his wife Nicole, two kids, and his two dogs.
You can find more of his work at ivieillustration.com and INSTAGRAM
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GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh prize pack!
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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by J. Brandon Boron. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!
TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Tour Kick-Off for Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Book Review and Instagram Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Friday, October 24, 2025
Instagram Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Monday, October 27, 2025
Book Review for Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Book Review for Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Guest Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Friday, October 31, 2025
Instagram Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Monday, November 3, 2025
Book Review for Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Book Review for Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Book Spotlight on Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Friday, November 7, 2025
Instagram Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Monday, November 10, 2025
Instagram Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Guest Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Book Review for Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Friday, November 14, 2025
Book Review for Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Monday, November 17, 2025
Instagram Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Instagram Post about Santa’s 18-Wheel Chrome-and-Steel Sleigh
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
