Light Love Rituals

An entertaining and informative novel on the Bulgaria of yesteryear. Between the pages of this novel are recipes and knowledge tinged with the mystery of a forgotten time still available to us today.

Jordan

Light Love Rituals is a feast of culture, stories, and glimpses into the past. Stories are the ultimate technology, and LLR gives us a great presentation of those from Bulgaria.

Chad Grills

Anyone who is looking for a perfect blend of fact and fiction should read this book. Myths, legends, Bulgarian history and traditions are clearly explained, along with wonderful scenes between a fictional Bulgarian family. It really brings the culture to life. My kids love the stories told to the young boy in the book, and they are excited to try the crafts. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Bulgarian culture -- especially families who want to share traditions with their kids or who love exploring new cultures.

Aliya Smyth

This is a charming and interesting book. I was hooked from the start. Our author takes us on an interesting journey to the heart and soul of Bulgaria. The details in this book made me feel as if I was in this ancient and marvelous country. There are instructions to make crafts and, being a story teller at heart, I loved the anecdotal passages. There is also a charming collection of delicious recipes. I loved the illustrations. I thought they added to the excitement and energy of each of the customs. This book will appeal to a wide audience from children to grandparents whether you are from Bulgaria or not. It’s educational, fun and very entertaining. I recommend it highly.

Susan Day

I would recommend this book to anyone in academia who is studying the region of Bulgaria, past or pres­ent. Each subject of her book (a particular ritual, a recipe, a craft, or a historical fact) is interwoven with a competent confidence that can only come with an author who knows what she is writing about. Throughout the text, there is a convergence of ancient paganism, eastern Christian Orthodoxy, regional animism, and family traditions.

Each chapter began with an objective, historical explanation, which one half of my brain could grab onto. Next (and best of all!), was the ongoing narration of one family's experience while participating in the traditions. The other half of my brain really got into this track of the book because I got to know the family intimately. This is where Ms. Aveela’s writing really shone for me.

Debauched Sloth

From the beginning, the visual appeal pulled me in and kept me hooked. From the colorful cover to the illustrations to the layout, I was more than impressed. The content surprised me as well. I’ve never seen fact and myth brought to life through snippets of story. And I must admit, I was blown away. It was simple to follow, easy to understand, and delightfully engaging. I could only imagine how great it would be if history books incorporated this method! It left me wanting to visit Bulgaria with its quaint culture and charming customs. I highly recommend this book to children and adults alike.

Erin Merrill