As the snow begins to fall here in Western Pennsylvania, I can't help to gravitate to the warmth of Christmas tree lights aglow, sitting by the fire with a nice warm beverage beside me as I pick up a Christmas themed novel. I love to allow my mind to have this escape. Christmas books are just that, Christmas based and an escape. You can expect love, warmth, some tragedy, but a happy ending. To be honest, we should read Christmas novels ALL year long. It does not have to be just at Christmas time. Who doesn't love a feel good book? I know, I sure do.
Now, it is important to mentioned how I came about this romantic book. The small town I live in is a typical college town in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania. Small, for the most part quiet, and a lovely downtown area that has many locally owned businesses. It could use more growth, but that will come with time. Heck it is a lot better than it has been in a long time. Anyway, when I first came back here, I noticed a little co-op for local small businesses type store called the 7th Street Marketry (https://www.facebook.com/7thstmarketry). I kept saying I was going to go in and for the first few months of being back, I just didn't patron the store. I mean it was a bit hectic adjusting to being back to my hometown. Which is the birthplace of well known actor, Jimmy Stewart. Anyway, one day I was looking for a gift with my girls, and figured I would just browse. My girls found stuff they needed and I was just walking around at the eclectic store when I happened upon A Joyful Christmas. I knew I just had to get the book. Do you ever just get drawn to a book? That is how this was, such a strong pull. So, to say the least, I am pleased with this impulse buy.
A Joyful Christmas is a 6 in 1 novel written by six different Christian authors. Cynthia Hickey, Liz Johnson, Vickie McDonough, Liz Tolsma, Carrie Turansky, and Erica Vetsch. They each penned a period novellas based around Christmas. The time period is the Civil War Era mixed with the time when many were going West to find riches and new land. It follows six women as they maneuver through tragedy, uncertainty, judgment and love. The six novellas are:
A Christmas Castle
A Star in the Night
An Irish Bride for Christmas
Under His Wings
Shelter in the Storm
Christmas Service
Each of these novellas highlight the hardships that were in this period of history. From the need to survive the elements of a new land because you were married to someone out west, to having to remarry due to the untimely death of a husband. To being a young woman who is required to marry, yet is not. The social norms and requirements were stressed for both women and men. Men were not allowed to care for children if they were single, they needed a wife or face having the child who might be a niece or sibling taken into foster care. These authors brought forth the time period very accurately. The social norms, culture, and issues surrounding this time period.
The novellas share drama and romance. They also bring joy and happiness. Which is what this time of year is supposed to bring. I will say this collection of novellas is a 4 out 5. Some were easier to get through and others took me more time. Granted they were all great, they kind of meshed together and were at times hard to remember the different plots. I also, got a bit bored towards the end of the book and took even longer to finish the collection. Overall, I loved the book as a whole. It was wholesome and a fabulous read if you want something lighthearted and easy to discuss. Happy reading to my fellow book lovers!