• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peeking Between the Pages

Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

  • HOME
  • ARCHIVES
  • PAST READS
  • REVIEW POLICY
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME

Book Review: Merry Christmas Stories by Jeff R. Spalsbury & Giveaway (Int’l)

November 23, 2011 by Darlene

Merry Christmas Stories by Jeff R. Spalsbury is a wonderful collection of short Christmas stories that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy. They are just perfect for the Christmas season! Some will make you laugh and others will leave a tear in your eye but what they all do best is reflect the magical spirit of Christmas.

There are all kinds of stories so there is something for everyone. There are ghosts, angels, matchmaking, and lots of love within the pages of the book as is the case of the elderly couple sitting by the sea and reminiscing about their past and how they met. There are strangers who give of themselves and find that they get so much more in return from doing good. You know how you read some stories and you just feel shivers…well that’s how I felt reading some of these as in the story where a ghost rescues people in need on the highway at Christmas time and this year he finds the perfect woman for his lonely brother.

There are 25 short stories and there were a few that stood out as my favorites. My absolute favorites that I’ll share though were Santa’s Missing and Santa’s Found. Helen arrives in detective Nick Tracer’s office with all the money she has in the world – $1.06, and wants to hire him to find Santa Claus. You see her mom is a single mom and they just don’t have the money for Christmas but while Helen is ok with not getting anything herself, she is worried for her younger siblings. Now normally Nick spends Christmas on a serious drunk and even after Helen leaves he still intends to do that but he can’t get her out of his mind. So he sets about seeing what he can do to bring Christmas to this family. Then to top things off he finally realizes that Santa is going to have to be him so he dresses as Santa and heads over to the house. While Nick is doing a huge good deed by helping this family he is totally unprepared for what happens to him while he’s there and to find that out you’ll just have to read the book.

The author does a really great job of bringing the Christmas spirit into your heart. This collection is full of wonderful characters and despite some of these stories only being a short few pages they will worm their way into your heart and stay there. If you’re one of those people who love to read a few Christmas books over the holidays this would make a great pick. I liked it because I could pick it up and read a story and then put it down if I had to. I also really liked it because it left me feeling good and in the Christmas spirit. It’s well worth the read this Christmas!

I read Merry Christmas Stories by Jeff R. Spalsbury for his book tour with TLC book Tours. Be sure and check out the other tour stops to see what others are saying about the book. Be sure and check out the Jeff’s website and you can purchase your own copy of Merry Christmas stories here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I just happen to have an extra copy of Merry Christmas Stories by Jeff R. Spalsbury because my copy took an extra-long time to make it through to Canada so I’m going to share it with one of my readers. Because it’s my own copy I’m opening it to all of my readers worldwide! To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open worldwide!  I will draw for the winner on Saturday, December 17/11.  Good luck to all!

Source: Review copy received for review from TLC Book Tours and the Publisher. I received no compensation for this review.

Share this post!
Share

Filed Under: 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge, 2011•eBook Tracking Challenge, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lena M. says

    November 23, 2011 at 12:55 am

    I love Christmas stories collections, nothing helps to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere like a good book!

  2. Birgit says

    November 23, 2011 at 1:21 am

    This sounds like the perfect book for the cold season! Hot tea, cookies, open fireplace … *sigh*

    GFC follower (Birgit)

    danaan at gmx dot at

  3. vivienne says

    November 23, 2011 at 1:37 am

    Ooh can I enter as it is international? You know how much I love Christmas! I already follow your blog hun. And I am off to tweet about it now.

    vivienne_dacosta(at)hotmail(dot) com

  4. Carol Thompson says

    November 23, 2011 at 2:52 am

    Well since I am in South Africa, if I won the book would probably arrive here just in time for Christmas which would be appropriate !

    Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries. Much Appreciated.

    I Follow via GFC – buddyt

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

  5. Diane@BibliophileBytheSea says

    November 23, 2011 at 4:43 am

    Sounds like a delightful Christmas collection. Thanks for the giveaway Dar. (follower of course)

    bibliophilebythesea at gmail dot com

  6. Lisa Garrett says

    November 23, 2011 at 4:53 am

    I love Christmas stories to get me into the spirit of the season.

  7. Lisa Garrett says

    November 23, 2011 at 4:54 am

    I follow via GFC.

  8. Lisa Garrett says

    November 23, 2011 at 4:55 am

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/139310868352606210

  9. debbie says

    November 23, 2011 at 6:02 am

    I have always loved reading Christmas stories, this one sounds really good.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  10. debbie says

    November 23, 2011 at 6:02 am

    I am a gfc follower
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  11. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    November 23, 2011 at 6:10 am

    Hey sounds great! I need more Christmas stories.

    A follower

    forevereading at gmail dot com

    • wall-to-wall books-wendy says

      November 23, 2011 at 6:10 am

      Oops I also posted it on my sidebar.

  12. zibilee says

    November 23, 2011 at 8:38 am

    I have been considering what I want to read for the holiday season, and it sounds like this might just be the perfect choice! Thanks, Dar, for the great review, and thanks also for the great giveaway! I think I will go ahead and throw my hat into the ring for this one!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  13. scottsgal says

    November 23, 2011 at 9:58 am

    holiday stories are some of my favorites
    msboatgal at aol.com

  14. scottsgal says

    November 23, 2011 at 9:59 am

    already a follower
    msboatgal at aol.com

  15. Margie says

    November 23, 2011 at 10:07 am

    This looks like the perfect book for the Holidays. Thanks for the giveaway.

  16. Margie says

    November 23, 2011 at 10:07 am

    current follower by GFC and
    email subscriber

  17. Karen B says

    November 23, 2011 at 10:31 am

    A Christmas story a day for 25 days – wonderful!!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  18. Karen B says

    November 23, 2011 at 10:31 am

    GFC follower as Karen B.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  19. Marta says

    November 23, 2011 at 10:35 am

    Hi! I would love to read it! Thanks for making it international. Best regards from Barcelona, Spain
    Marta
    martaplayita [at] gmail dot com
    http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com/

  20. Marta says

    November 23, 2011 at 10:48 am

    I’ve blogged about your giveaway. Here’s the link: http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com/2011/11/sorteo-internacional-merry-christmas.html
    Thanks!Marta
    martaplayita [at] gmail dot com
    http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com/

  21. Marta says

    November 23, 2011 at 10:51 am

    email subscriber and GFC follower. Thanks!Marta
    martaplayita [at] gmail dot com
    http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com/

  22. Linda Kish says

    November 23, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    I love Christmas stories.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  23. Linda Kish says

    November 23, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  24. bookworm says

    November 23, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    This sounds really sweet 🙂 Perfect for this time of year. Happy Thanksgiving Dar!

  25. Chantel says

    November 23, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    Thank you for the wonderful giveaway, I’d love to win!

    GFC: Chantel

  26. Mary Preston says

    November 23, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    Christmas stories always have a little extra magic to them. Thank you.

    I follow: Mary Preston

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  27. karenk says

    November 23, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    thanks for the chance to read this wonderful book 😉

  28. karenk says

    November 23, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    i’m a follower, too 🙂

  29. Nina Designs says

    November 24, 2011 at 12:52 am

    I’m a new follower and I’d love to win this book!
    Nina (from Spain)

  30. Staci says

    November 24, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    Im glad that you reviewed this one…sounds like a great way to get myself into that holiday spirit!

  31. Mary Rogers says

    November 25, 2011 at 7:02 am

    I love reading Christmas books/stories during the holidays. Looks like a good read too.

  32. Mary Rogers says

    November 25, 2011 at 9:37 am

    I already follow your blog. I mostly read it using my iPad using an app. Love it your blog is one of my faves

  33. Mary Rogers says

    November 25, 2011 at 9:38 am

    I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/BoosPlace/status/140106985851977730

  34. TheBookGirl says

    November 25, 2011 at 10:24 am

    I like the idea that there is a real diversity to the stories 🙂
    I am going to look for this one; I could use a little holiday spirit right about now.

  35. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    November 25, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    I think the fact that there are 25 stories in this collection is PERFECT – one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. YAY!

    Thanks for being on the tour.

  36. Susan @ The Book Bag says

    November 26, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    I love reading Christmas stories. I wish the season was longer so that I had more time to read them all. :^)

    I am a GFC follower.

    suzebomb(at)gmail.com

  37. Amy says

    November 28, 2011 at 9:15 am

    I love holiday-themed stories this time of year. I used to have a great big book of all kinds of Christmas lore – stories, essays, recipes, anecdotes etc. Over the years its disappeared so I try to collect books regarding Christmas whenever I find some!

    Please enter me in this giveaway!
    I’m a regular follower of your fab blog!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  38. Gmapeony says

    November 28, 2011 at 10:24 am

    I am a gfc follower.
    gmapeony@yahoo.com

  39. Gmapeony says

    November 28, 2011 at 10:24 am

    I am a sucker for Christmas stories.
    gmapeony@yahoo.com

  40. Pat L. says

    November 28, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    I love a good Christmas story, so a bunch is even better.

    patoct@yahoo.com

  41. Pat L. says

    November 28, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    I am a gfc follower.
    patoct@yahoo.com

  42. Natalie's mama says

    November 29, 2011 at 9:23 am

    nothing better than a collection of Christmas stories.

    lovesthemets@yahoo.com

  43. RJB says

    November 29, 2011 at 11:06 am

    Thanks for this great give-a-way.

  44. Nancye Davis says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    I love Christmas Storied! This book sounds really great!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    • Nancye Davis says

      December 9, 2011 at 10:35 pm

      Oops! That should say Christmas “Stories”

      nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  45. Nancye Davis says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  46. Nancye Davis says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  47. Nancye Davis says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/145377605674209280

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  48. Nancye Davis says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/145377605674209280

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  49. Nancye Davis says

    December 9, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/145377605674209280

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #3

Primary Sidebar

Follow Me!

 

Enter your email address to get my latest reviews sent to your inbox!

Recently Shared

  • Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor (Audiobook)
  • The Babysitter Lives by Stephen Graham Jones (Audiobook)
  • Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Audiobook)
  • Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez (Audiobook)
  • Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz (Audiobook)

Archives

Categories

Currently Reading

Orhan's Inheritance
Dear Carolina
The Mapmaker's Children
   

My Reading Pal Sammy

Remembering Buddy

Buddy
• May 25, 2002 - Oct 22, 2010 •
Forever in my heart