Tag Archives: short fiction

Book Review: Merry Christmas Stories

13 Dec

Merry Christmas Stories is a collection of 25 Christmas tales that emphasize the value of Christmas love and laughter. These short stories will make you laugh, smile and just feel good about this magical time of year. These delightful stories, written in a variety of genres, all reflect Christmas love, hope and charity.

A firm believer in the power and importance of laughter, Spalsbury employs humor in his books and hopes the stories will provide some Christmas cheer for all who read them. The stories represent a variety of genres ranging from the traditional to romance to science fiction.

There are stories of adventure along with humor, unexpected surprises, romance and poignant moments. These are feel-good stories, to uplift your spirit and to leave you with a smile or a warm feeling.  Just the way Christmas should feel.

Excerpt of Santa’s Missing

Jeff R. Spalsbury also writes science fiction and western novels. Avalon Press published his western novel, Hunt the Hunter, in December 2010 and the second novel in his Hunt series, The Hunted Return is scheduled to be published in July 2012, also by Avalon.  His science fiction novel, SPACE DREAM ONE: That Other’s May Live will be published as an eBook in October 2011.

Spalsbury taught a class on the importance of using humor in the classroom at California State University in Fresno. He is also a former library director and professor at Porterville College, Porterville, CA.

To learn more about Spalsbury’s books, visit his website at www.JeffRSpalsbury.com. His books can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Black Rose Writing or various online  eBook sellers, including the Apple iPad, Sony Nook, etc.

My Impressions:

I think I read Jeff Spalsbury’s short fiction collection, Merry Christmas Stories, too fast.  I read the collection through in 1 day.  In my opinion the best way to read the 25 stories in the collection is one a night from December 1 through December 25.  The stories, featuring different subjects and genres, all focus on the Christmas season, with many set on Christmas eve.  There is lots of romance, some laugh out loud moments, and a few moments that might bring a tear to your eyes.  My favorites of the collection are actually the first two stories — Santa’s Missing and Santa’s Found.  I could actually see these two stories made into a Hallmark movie.    So if you are looking for some short fiction to get you in the holiday mood, make you think about your own celebrations or to enhance family time with a read along, check our Merry Christmas Stories.  Please note:  make sure to read the stories first before selecting one to read to the kiddies.  The romances may make your tweens roll their eyes or make you blush a bit.

Stops on the TLC tour:

Monday, November 21st:  The Road to Here

Tuesday, November 22nd:  Reviews from the Heart

Wednesday, November 23rd:  Peeking Between the Pages

Friday, November 25th:  A Chick Who Reads

Monday, November 28th:  I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Q&A/giveaway

Wednesday, November 30th:  Cheryl’s Book Nook

Thursday, December 1st:  Life in Review

Friday, December 2nd:  2 Kids and Tired

Monday, December 5th:  Laura’s Reviews

Wednesday, December 7th:  My Bookshelf

Thursday, December 8th:  Deb’s Book Bag

Friday, December 9th:  Living Outside the Stacks

Monday, December 12th:  Along the Way

Tuesday, December 13th:  By the Book

Wednesday, December 14th:  Nailing Jello to a Tree

Thursday, December 15th:  Book Reviews by Molly

TBD:  Book Maven’s Blog

(I received Merry Christmas Stories from TLC and the author in return for a review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.)