Calling Mrs Christmas

Review by Mick Arnold. 

‘Calling Mrs Christmas’ is that rare breed of seasonal tale, in that behind the story of someone finding their calling to help them over a personal crisis (unemployment here) there are some serious social issues dealt with here that from a lesser author could have easily taken a lowly second place. Of course, this doesn’t detract from the main storyline as we follow Cassie through a Christmas certainly never to be forgotten, such is the skill of this author.

The story centres around Cassie, at the start deep in the depression caused by unemployment. She’s in a long-term relationship with the stoic Jim, a caring warder at the local Youth Detention Centre. Deciding to put her organisational talents to use, she starts up a business – the title of the book. As the business booms, from wrapping presents and decorating trees, to arranging corporate parties, life starts to look good for her again and the two of them have never been happier. Enter a rich client called Carter, single parent to two young children. Soon, Cassie’s arranging a perfect Christmas for him, his children and his expansive mansion. But sparks fly between the two and after an adventure in Lapland, Cassie finds her feelings torn between the two men.

Jim finds himself drawn to two of the young lads in his care and his nurturing nature surfaces and he finds himself doing as much as he can for them whilst at work and when they prove worthy of his trust on day-release, takes the time to set them up as best he can for their impending release. Cassie too is drawn towards them as they help Cassie and Jim with the business.

I won’t spoil anymore of the book, but suffice to say, this is Carole at her best. You’ll be on tenterhooks as the pages turn, each of the characters having their own crisis and moments in the sun as the tale draws to a kind of open-ended close.

My first thought when I’d finished was – sequel please? I believe there’s more than enough in the lives of Cassie, Jim, Carter, and Kieron and Andrew to easily keep up occupied over the long winter nights.

I know it’s not Christmas, so this review could be a little late (ok, it is late – but blame my wife for hiding this book for a present and then losing track of where it was until a short while ago), but if anything is liable to cheer you up, if you’re in need, then you could do no better than to read ‘Calling Mrs Christmas.’

Calling Mrs Christmas is published by Sphere (October 2013) and is available in paperback and ebook.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.