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Family plus home plus love equals the best gift ever. Miracles do happen at Christmas time!
Usually her favorite time of year, Leann doesn’t feel much like celebrating after being dumped by her fiancé, and receiving an alarming call regarding her dad’s latest fall. Alone and worried about her dad, Leann travels home to take care of her family and try to get back in the holiday spirit. She soon realizes that her brief trip home will have an enormous impact on her life. It will be a Christmas to remember, filled with family, memories and romance.
Mr. Christmas by Deanna Jackson is a short story romance set in the fictional town of Emery Springs, Indiana; featuring protagonist Leann Morgan.
Leann is back in her small home town to spend Christmas with her family. Even though she's been working her dream job of writing for a magazine in Chicago, she's fresh off a broken engagement. Her younger sister Diane and her father welcome her back with open arms. Leann's father loves Christmas more than anything and sees it as a chance to give back to God for the gift of being put on this earth. Every year, while dressed up as Santa Claus, he stands out on the lawn and pases out candy canes. He has been affectionately dubbed Mr. Christmas by the town. This year when Leann arrives, who should be Mr. Christmas' head elf but Andy McKinley. Andy, in addition to being the proverbial sweet boy next door, is also Leann's ex-boyfriend. Can an old flame be rekindled over hot cocoa around the fire?
When I first looked at this book, I was curious as to what kind of storyline could be developed in 35 pages. However, Jackson manages to provide readers with a complete story within those confines. She captures the spirit of Christmas with her descriptions of colorful decorations and shimmering lights and her mention of the ubiquitous holiday sweater. This one's red with white snowflakes. The author does a marvelous job of introducing both her characters and their personalities. The father has a white beard and when Andy speaks his voice quivers and there's a reluctance to make eye contact.
As a true romantic, I love romance novels set in small towns where "crime is low and gossip is high." Reading Mr. Christmas reminded me of reading the Copper Ridge complete series by Maisey Yates. Copper Ridge is also about a small town where romance blooms around every corner.
Leann's dreams of writing in the big city haven't quite turned out the way she planned. Can the magic of the holidays remind her to count her blessings and value the true meaning of the festive season: family, home, and love?
I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed the way Jackson introduces her characters and then breathes life into them all within 35 pages. This is a great story that will warm the hearts of cozy romance readers (and Christmas lovers) of all ages.
Wymanette Castaneda Usually her favorite time of year, Leann doesn’t feel much like celebrating after being dumped by her fiancé, and receiving an alarming call regarding her dad’s latest fall. Alone and worried about her dad, Leann travels home to take care of her family and try to get back in the holiday spirit. She soon realizes that her brief trip home will have an enormous impact on her life. It will be a Christmas to remember, filled with family, memories and romance.
Leann pulled into the snow-covered driveway and gawked at the ancient Santa Claus cut out that stood on the roof of her childhood home. She shook her head at the thought of her stubborn dad insisting on placing it up there, whether he was injured or not.
As she struggled with her suitcase up the icy steps, “Jingle Bells” serenaded her from the porch speakers. Her dad’s voice had hummed with excitement when he’d called a few weeks ago to tell her about this latest addition to his Christmas display. Weatherproof speakers that would play Christmas music around the clock. It was over the top, and it wasn’t like he needed it. His expansive collection of Christmas plastics already suffocated the front yard, and the thousands of twinkling lights illuminated the street.
Leann knew the electric bill would be double, like years past. And with his latest fall, her dad was off work and funds would be tight. He needed to slow down, but that was why she was there. Things had to change, even if her father fought her until the very last snowflake fell.
Deanna Jackson is a hopeless romantic who one day dreams of living in one of the small towns she writes about. Mr. Christmas is her first published short story. You can read her other writing in magazines and on her blog. She lives in Ohio with her husband, and 3 rescue fur babies. view profile
Published on October 13, 2020
Published by
7000 words
Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆
Genre:Romance
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