WINTHROP, Mass., Oct. 14, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- There is Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen; however, not many know the only girl reindeer of them all. "Hope" (now available through 1stBooks) is the new Christmas story by Judson Murray about a female reindeer that longs to pull the sleigh.
Murray tells the story of Hope, a reindeer born in the wild of northern Quebec. Her childhood is generally easy and happy as she grows up in the confines of the herd and protected by Emmett, her powerful father and Hazel, her adoring mother. From an early age, it is evident to her parents that Hope is special, picking up things very quickly, such as which berries to eat and how to ward off enemies. Her childhood is filled with happiness, but is interrupted by tragedy.
One evening, wolves surround the herd. In the skirmish, Hope is separated from her parents. Bolting through the forest at break neck speed, not looking back like her parents told her, Hope stops -- exhausted and miles away from home. The next day she attempts to find her family, but is ambushed by wolves. Hope tries to escape, but the wolves overpower her, ready to take her life. Suddenly, seven massive reindeer appear from the forest and ward off the wolves. Hope passes out from the stress.
When she wakes, she finds herself in Boss Nick's compound at the North Pole. In the warm confines of the reindeer stable, Hope learns that her brother is the famous reindeer, Cupid. Now, he vows to take care of her and help her achieve her potential. It is a long road uphill, but kind jolly Nick, Cupid and all the others are there to help her along the way.
A truly enchanting and original Christmas story, Hope will find a home amongst the tinsel and glowing ornamented trees of the holidays.
Murray works for the U.S. Postal Service and lives in the suburbs of Boston. Hope, his first book, was written as an answer to a child's question, which pondered why there were no female reindeer. Murray found that question needed answering and offers this story as the first account of a girl reindeer.
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