The Christmas House
A verified Amazon review-The Christmas House is the embodiment of the Christmas Spirit. Magical, wondrous, full of the warmth generated by the company of family and friends during good times and hard. This book hits you with a healthy dose of reality, but it also takes you on a fantastical journey filled with hope and joy, grace and forgiveness. If you don't examine it too closely, but just let the words transport you on a trip that will engage your emotions and give you cause to ponder what can be real, what may be true - if "close your eyes" and open your heart, this book will bring it all to life and make you believe. I found this book engaging from the first chapter, it kept drawing me in, pulling me into the world of the house and those who live there, as well as those individuals who visit once every year at Christmas. This story is not without tragedy, but it is also infused with the glorious strength and bright light that the human spirit is capable of producing, with a little divine help and the steadfast support of the people who love you. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, wanting to see what happened next, anxious to find out what happened to the characters in the book I had grown to care about. The story surrounds your senses and brings the sights and smells, the many textures of Christmas to your heart, as it lifts your spirit up and makes you wonder...This podcast offers the first four chapters of the novel. The entire audio book will not be available on Amazon until Thanksgiving 2022. More episodes (chapters) will be added in the future.
The Christmas House
CHAPTER FIFTEEN - CHRISTMAS NUMBER TWO
A year had passed, and life continued for the Hill family. Each, a year older and for a few wiser as well, but the subject of conversation persisted in being would Rick and Carin be joining the family this second Christmas at the magical house on Festive Lane.
“For December 24th in Chicago, the weather feels more like Florida than Illinois,” said Harry as he finished stringing the lights on the garage roofline.
“I know. I’m soaked to the bone from sweat. I need a shower and some clean clothes,” replied Victor, who helped Harry with the lights.
This year the Hills were much better prepared for the events that would soon evolve once the clock struck 6:00 pm on this warm and sultry Christmas Eve. Susan and Caitlin were busy setting up extra seating in the kitchen and family room, where most of the guests assembled last year. Susan also prepared several turkey and vegetable courses to complement the sweets the guests would be bringing. Last year even the elderly were sugared up and bouncing off the walls from too many sweets. Susan wanted to make sure the guests received a couple of solid meals while visiting her home.
“Wow, something smells great,” said Harry as he and Victor entered the kitchen from the back-garage entrance.
“It’s one of five turkeys I have prepared for our guests. I hope it’s enough,” replied Susan.
“It’s enough for Harry and me, but I don’t know what the guests are going to eat,” said Victor as he started picking at one of the already cooked turkeys resting on the counter.