The Thursday Night Club and Other Stories of Christmas Spirit by Steven Manchester
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books
Publication Date: PB - October 25, 2017 / eBook - November 1, 2017
Format: Paperback - 190 pages
Kindle - 5154 KB
Nook - 6 MB
ISBN: 978-1945839160
ASIN: B075W59MLY
BNID: 978-1945839146
Genre: Christmas Novella Collection
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Book Description:
A joyous and deeply emotional collection of three unforgettable Christmas novellas.
With a series of #1 bestsellers like Twelve Months, The Rockin’ Chair and Pressed Pennies, Steven Manchester has established himself as one of the premier voices of moving and heartfelt fiction. Now, he collects his three unforgettable Christmas novellas in one volume.
The Thursday Night Club: Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off. As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.
A Christmas Wish: Steph is on a search for truth in her heart as she faces the prospect of real love for the first time. Brian is out to enjoy his favorite season in a way that doctors never thought he could. And at the center of it all is their grandmother, affectionately known as Mama, a woman of remarkable commitment and charity who knows something very important about making Christmas wishes come true.
The Tin-Foil Manger: Published in this volume for the first time, this is the story of Nancy, an elderly woman with little to live for and Jeanne, the caretaker who wants to believe that Nancy has more to live for. Together, they embark on a journey to the past – a past of modest Christmases, tin-foil mangers, and abundant love – to rediscover the time when Nancy felt truly alive. Nancy’s memories and how they touch Jeanne, will turn this Christmas into one for the ages.
Rich with emotion and profound with meaning, these three stories of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year and make you look at the holiday season in new ways.
My Book Review:
Every once in a while an author comes along who writes novels that are so powerfully compelling, poignant, and thought provoking, that they pull at the heartstrings and stir the soul. For me, that author is Steven Manchester and his latest Christmas Novella Collection, The Thursday Night Club and Other Stories of Christmas Spirit.
The Thursday Night Club and Other Stories of Christmas Spirit is a wonderful holiday novella collection that features three heartwarming stories revolving around the Christmas Spirit theme.
In The Thursday Night Club, after the tragic death of Jesse, one of the members of the Thursday Night Club, the remaining four college friends Izzy, Ava, Randy, and Kevin decide to honor Jesse's memory by paying it forward and making a positive difference in the world.
In A Christmas Wish, Grandma Angela "Mama" encourages her granddaughter Steph to search within herself for the truth in her life, to have faith, make a Christmas wish, and believe that it will come true.
In The Tin-Foil Manger, elderly nursing home resident Nancy Guillmette has lost her desire to live due to the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and is slowly wilting away. Nurse Jeanne encourages Nancy to make the most of every day she's given on earth, and together they embark on a walk down memory lane as Nancy revisits her beloved childhood memories when Christmas traditions meant so much to her.
In each of the novellas, the reader will be easily captivated and drawn into these sentimental and touching stories. You can't help but get swept away and experience the full gamut of emotions as each heartwarming story stirs your soul and celebrates the true meaning of the Christmas Spirit.
While I enjoyed reading all three stories, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much The Tin-Foil Manger resonated with me. As a retired NJ licensed nursing home administrator, I was instantly drawn into this beautifully written and thoughtful story dealing with Alzheimer's disease. Over the years I have witnessed many residents, families, and staff deal with this traumatic disease, and author Steven Manchester does a wonderful job of providing the reader with an inspirational story that will simply tug at your heartstrings.
If you are looking for a wonderful collection of Christmas novellas that will get you in the holiday spirit, then look no further, The Thursday Night Club and Other Stories of Christmas Spirit is the collection for you!
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.
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