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Christmas Notes
Things have not quite gone as planned for Max Fox. After leaving his father’s company under damaging circumstances, he finally found regained pride in a new job. Now, because of the failing economy, that job is gone too. To top off the last two years, he learned that he and his wife, Jenny, are unable to have children, and their relationship has been on a decline ever since. Still, this Christmas, he and Jenny decided to bring an orphan home for the holidays. Seanna, (pronounced, CEE-anna)with her dimply smile and interesting way of communicating, just might give them the help they need to understand what is most important in life, not only for this time of the year, but also for all year long. Seanna, who was left an orphan and unable to speak due to a horrific accident, writes simple one-word notes from her favorite stories to pass out to people who are in need of a small life-changing message. Through her notes, she spreads the Christmas spirit of gratitude, hope, family, and love and helps Max to heal his relationships with his wife, parents, and humanity. While spending his days with her, Max is able to help her heal her wounds by learning the fate of her family, of the young boy who saved her from the accident, and of the wish that she wants most of all; a new family
166 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2011
9 people want to read
About the author
Clint G. Cox
1 book10 followersClint G Cox
Which is mightier, the pipe wrench or the pen? Clint is someone who always enjoys trying something new. He wields the pipe wrench day in and day out, but secretly, yearns to explore the world of writing. Christmas Notes is the first story he has ever shared with anyone, including his wife. He is a hard working entrepreneur who, despite running multiple businesses, one being his plumbing business, has been able to keep his faith strong. His devotion to faith came in high school when his dad was killed in an industrial accident. In Clint’s search for the answers of “why” his dad had to leave this life so soon, he found a guided, steady straight path he has followed ever since. Clint has the unique ability to be able to infuse his characters with true to-life-emotions. He loves Christmas and believes that people’s hearts are closer to the surface and more reachable during the holiday season. He wants nothing more than to teach the things that are most important in life through his writings during this joyous season. He has dramatized some of these life messages in his book of Christmas Notes.
Which is mightier, the pipe wrench or the pen? Clint is someone who always enjoys trying something new. He wields the pipe wrench day in and day out, but secretly, yearns to explore the world of writing. Christmas Notes is the first story he has ever shared with anyone, including his wife. He is a hard working entrepreneur who, despite running multiple businesses, one being his plumbing business, has been able to keep his faith strong. His devotion to faith came in high school when his dad was killed in an industrial accident. In Clint’s search for the answers of “why” his dad had to leave this life so soon, he found a guided, steady straight path he has followed ever since. Clint has the unique ability to be able to infuse his characters with true to-life-emotions. He loves Christmas and believes that people’s hearts are closer to the surface and more reachable during the holiday season. He wants nothing more than to teach the things that are most important in life through his writings during this joyous season. He has dramatized some of these life messages in his book of Christmas Notes.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 2, 2011
As another Christmas came and went, I was feeling like not much was gained from my holiday experiences. Considering that this was the season that I most looked forward to every year, I was disappointed. "Numb", is how I described it in the book through Max, the main character. It is such a magical time of year, yet, there I was, feeling nothing. So, like Seanna did in the story, I too wrote something to give to others. I started writing Christmas Notes for my children in hopes of saving them from feeling the same holiday numbness when they grow up. As I wrote it, the story just came alive for me. I fell in love with Seanna, and patterned her after my own children. I added my own personal touch with Max. The beautiful Jenny is my beautiful wife, no embellishment needed. I did not however use my in-laws as an example for those in the book. My in-laws are the best.
I finished the rough draft in just one month. After my wife (who reads ten, or so novels, a month) proof read the story, she heavily encouraged me to submit it to some publishing companies, which I did. Here I am thanks to her. If it were not for her words of encouragement, none of this would have ever happened.
This first book, Christmas Notes, comes with the message that if we open our hearts to others, listen for the messages life brings us, then we will come to know what truly is important in life; love, family, and faith in knowing that no matter what life brings us, there is light and hope to guide us through it.
I hope you will find inspiration in this book and feel the true magic of Christmas. Give the gift of Christmas Notes to somebody you know who could use a little magic in their lives, and relive the joy every time you read it.
This is a three-part book series. To stay tuned, follow my Blog, or follow me on facebook and twitter.
http://www.christmasnotesseries.blogs...
I finished the rough draft in just one month. After my wife (who reads ten, or so novels, a month) proof read the story, she heavily encouraged me to submit it to some publishing companies, which I did. Here I am thanks to her. If it were not for her words of encouragement, none of this would have ever happened.
This first book, Christmas Notes, comes with the message that if we open our hearts to others, listen for the messages life brings us, then we will come to know what truly is important in life; love, family, and faith in knowing that no matter what life brings us, there is light and hope to guide us through it.
I hope you will find inspiration in this book and feel the true magic of Christmas. Give the gift of Christmas Notes to somebody you know who could use a little magic in their lives, and relive the joy every time you read it.
This is a three-part book series. To stay tuned, follow my Blog, or follow me on facebook and twitter.
http://www.christmasnotesseries.blogs...
October 7, 2011
I loved reading this book! It has a great message that will touch your heart! It was so good, I am buying copies of it to give as Christmas gifts this year. It would be a great gift for any age. My eleven year old son read it and enjoyed it too. I am glad to have it added in my personal book collection. Thanks Clint for a great book!
December 12, 2020
It was cute, but not particularly well written. The main character is completely oblivious to the most obvious things. It was easy to predict things, but it did what it wanted to do for the most part. Just wish the editing hadn't been quite so crude. Might have made it a little more believable or immersive.
October 6, 2011
REFRESHING AND UPLIFTING CHRISTMAS NOTES INVITES US TO EXAMINE OUR OWN LIVES AND DETERMINE WHAT “NOTE” WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE AND TO RECEIVE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON.
Just in time for Christmas, new author, Clint Cox, has written a delightful and uplifting novel which will be released on November 8. Christmas Notes is a beautifully written story which focuses on the magical insight and feelings of an extraordinary 5 year old girl, Seanna, who is orphaned after a tragic car crash which took her parents, her only known living relatives. The accident left her without a voice but allowed her to find a unique and endearing way to communicate with everyone.
The story is about Seanna and how she captivates those around her in her simple approach to love and life. As an orphan, living in the local children’s home, she is available for the annual program in which local families can take one of the orphans for one month, December, to help them get through the Christmas season in that family’s home.
The family who will pick her up on a cold December morning and eventually fall in love with her is Max and Jenny Fox. They need a lot of uplifting since Max lost his job over a year ago, is estranged from his parents, and has almost lost his faith. Making a bad situation worse is the fact they have recently found out that he and Jenny cannot have any children. His wife, Jenny, is taking the news about no children pretty hard and is also battling an illness that is leaving her tired and sick most all the time. Together they decide that they would like to participate in this program and begin the required process and paper trail. They hoped that sharing this time with a child from the orphanage would not only give a great Christmas to a child with little hope, but would maybe in some way enrich their lives a little too.
What they did not count on was the profound spiritual inspiration that they would get from this little girl and not only for them, but for everyone she would meet. She enabled events to happen that would change all their lives forever.
Seanna had her own issues to deal with, such as learning what had happened to her parents and the person who saved her after the crash. How would she communicate what she wants and needs?
What were the notes she kept in the bulging pocket of her old coat? How did she know which note to give? How could one word change a life? Was there a Christmas miracle for her?
We could all learn a lot from this wonderful story—appreciate life, there is always someone who is suffering more than me, believe in miracles, and don’t take life for granted are a few.
Clint is a gifted story teller. There are a lot of adjectives to describe how much I liked this story, but refreshing, spiritual, and emotional would be a good start. His book will be released and available at most bookstores and Amazon on November 8, but if you would like an early copy, you can go to www.christmasnotes.org where his book is available for purchase now.
PS. I would also like to add, if Seanna were to write me a note, it would say “miracles” as I truly believe they happen all around us.
Cara Elder
celder@cfl.rr.com
www.poolsidebookreviews.com
Just in time for Christmas, new author, Clint Cox, has written a delightful and uplifting novel which will be released on November 8. Christmas Notes is a beautifully written story which focuses on the magical insight and feelings of an extraordinary 5 year old girl, Seanna, who is orphaned after a tragic car crash which took her parents, her only known living relatives. The accident left her without a voice but allowed her to find a unique and endearing way to communicate with everyone.
The story is about Seanna and how she captivates those around her in her simple approach to love and life. As an orphan, living in the local children’s home, she is available for the annual program in which local families can take one of the orphans for one month, December, to help them get through the Christmas season in that family’s home.
The family who will pick her up on a cold December morning and eventually fall in love with her is Max and Jenny Fox. They need a lot of uplifting since Max lost his job over a year ago, is estranged from his parents, and has almost lost his faith. Making a bad situation worse is the fact they have recently found out that he and Jenny cannot have any children. His wife, Jenny, is taking the news about no children pretty hard and is also battling an illness that is leaving her tired and sick most all the time. Together they decide that they would like to participate in this program and begin the required process and paper trail. They hoped that sharing this time with a child from the orphanage would not only give a great Christmas to a child with little hope, but would maybe in some way enrich their lives a little too.
What they did not count on was the profound spiritual inspiration that they would get from this little girl and not only for them, but for everyone she would meet. She enabled events to happen that would change all their lives forever.
Seanna had her own issues to deal with, such as learning what had happened to her parents and the person who saved her after the crash. How would she communicate what she wants and needs?
What were the notes she kept in the bulging pocket of her old coat? How did she know which note to give? How could one word change a life? Was there a Christmas miracle for her?
We could all learn a lot from this wonderful story—appreciate life, there is always someone who is suffering more than me, believe in miracles, and don’t take life for granted are a few.
Clint is a gifted story teller. There are a lot of adjectives to describe how much I liked this story, but refreshing, spiritual, and emotional would be a good start. His book will be released and available at most bookstores and Amazon on November 8, but if you would like an early copy, you can go to www.christmasnotes.org where his book is available for purchase now.
PS. I would also like to add, if Seanna were to write me a note, it would say “miracles” as I truly believe they happen all around us.
Cara Elder
celder@cfl.rr.com
www.poolsidebookreviews.com
February 27, 2012
Christmas Notes Review by Clint Cox
Every Sunday morning, while reading the newspaper, I glance at the book section on their suggestions of new releases. This time one book caught my eye…”Christmas Notes” a novella by new author Clint Cox. It was a Christmas story that received excellent reviews, and the author Clint Cox loves to write short stories in his spare time, and he put his heart into this short but heartwarming story. So being in the Christmas spirit, I decided to read this story.
Max and Jenny Fox’s marriage has been under a strain, as they have just learned that they cannot have children. It is Christmas, and Max has been out of work for a year, forcing Jenny to work long hours to help pay the bills, which also has not helped their marriage. Max has lost his confidence, his estrangement from his parents is now going on two years, and his attitude has turned toward depression. The local orphanage has a yearly event where their children go to different homes for the month of December. Jenny wants to take a child for December, and despite his misgivings, Max agrees, as he knows that Jenny has been down since they were told they can’t have children of their own.
Seanna, is a 5 year old girl, who is waiting for Max, when he comes to pick her up. Max, who had to go alone, since Jenny was working overtime, is shocked to meet Seanna. She cannot speak, having survived a tragic car crash a year ago, losing both of her parents and a baby brother. Max, already feeling inadequate, hesitates, but since she is the last child left at the orphanage, he brings Seanna home.
Seanna is a beautiful young girl, who captivates all those she meets. She has an unusual way of communicating to others….one word notes. These notes are stuffed in her coat pocket, and Seanna whenever she wants to express herself, uses these notes. She is very bubbly, and a happy child, despite her tragic loss. Seanna is an inspiration to all those she meets, and she immediately hits it off with Jenny, when she meets her. Seanna later that evening, hands Jenny her first note..”Mother”.
Max and Jenny wanted to give a child a home and some enjoyment for one month, not counting on how she would enrich and change their lives forever. You marvel at Seanna, how when she meets people, and they fall in love with her. How she and Jenny plot to help bring Max back with his parents. When Seanna meets the young boy who rescued her from the car crash, and had become disfigured in doing so, it is an emotional moment. Especially when she gives him her note “Savior”, you can’t help but cry. You do find yourself with tears at different points of the story.
Of course, knowing how books like this usually turn out, you can sort of guess what happens. Both Max and Jenny fall in love with Seanna, and they will have a happy ending, but there are some nice happy or sappy twists at the end. It is great to see Max realize how much Seanna means to him, as well as to see him reconcile with his father and to see the overall change in him. This was an excellent story, which I recommend to anyone who would like to read a heartwarming Christmas story.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Every Sunday morning, while reading the newspaper, I glance at the book section on their suggestions of new releases. This time one book caught my eye…”Christmas Notes” a novella by new author Clint Cox. It was a Christmas story that received excellent reviews, and the author Clint Cox loves to write short stories in his spare time, and he put his heart into this short but heartwarming story. So being in the Christmas spirit, I decided to read this story.
Max and Jenny Fox’s marriage has been under a strain, as they have just learned that they cannot have children. It is Christmas, and Max has been out of work for a year, forcing Jenny to work long hours to help pay the bills, which also has not helped their marriage. Max has lost his confidence, his estrangement from his parents is now going on two years, and his attitude has turned toward depression. The local orphanage has a yearly event where their children go to different homes for the month of December. Jenny wants to take a child for December, and despite his misgivings, Max agrees, as he knows that Jenny has been down since they were told they can’t have children of their own.
Seanna, is a 5 year old girl, who is waiting for Max, when he comes to pick her up. Max, who had to go alone, since Jenny was working overtime, is shocked to meet Seanna. She cannot speak, having survived a tragic car crash a year ago, losing both of her parents and a baby brother. Max, already feeling inadequate, hesitates, but since she is the last child left at the orphanage, he brings Seanna home.
Seanna is a beautiful young girl, who captivates all those she meets. She has an unusual way of communicating to others….one word notes. These notes are stuffed in her coat pocket, and Seanna whenever she wants to express herself, uses these notes. She is very bubbly, and a happy child, despite her tragic loss. Seanna is an inspiration to all those she meets, and she immediately hits it off with Jenny, when she meets her. Seanna later that evening, hands Jenny her first note..”Mother”.
Max and Jenny wanted to give a child a home and some enjoyment for one month, not counting on how she would enrich and change their lives forever. You marvel at Seanna, how when she meets people, and they fall in love with her. How she and Jenny plot to help bring Max back with his parents. When Seanna meets the young boy who rescued her from the car crash, and had become disfigured in doing so, it is an emotional moment. Especially when she gives him her note “Savior”, you can’t help but cry. You do find yourself with tears at different points of the story.
Of course, knowing how books like this usually turn out, you can sort of guess what happens. Both Max and Jenny fall in love with Seanna, and they will have a happy ending, but there are some nice happy or sappy twists at the end. It is great to see Max realize how much Seanna means to him, as well as to see him reconcile with his father and to see the overall change in him. This was an excellent story, which I recommend to anyone who would like to read a heartwarming Christmas story.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
October 6, 2011
Christmas Notes Will Touch Your Heart
Bah! Humbug! That is Max’s attitude toward everything, including Christmas. The reason for it is uncertain but it has been building up inside him for a long time. When his wife wants to take an orphan child for one month during the Christmas season, he reluctantly agrees. Feeling inadequate to be a father to an orphan child for a short time and his bad attitude toward the season, he isn’t in the best of moods. After picking up the five-year-old girl from the orphanage, something begins to happen to him. Day by day, his heart begins to soften and his relationship with his wife improves. His attitude begins to change for the better. Could this one small girl affect his life so much? But that’s not all. There’s much more! This precious darling changes everyone’s life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved the relationship between Max and his wife. They are such a fun and cute couple. This story is filled with compassion, love, and humor. But make sure you have a hanky ready for those very tender moments. You’ll need it! “Christmas Notes” will touch your heart as it did mine.
Written by Linda Weaver Clarke, author of a historical sweet romance series, “A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho,” and a mystery series, “The Adventures of John and Julia Evans.”
Bah! Humbug! That is Max’s attitude toward everything, including Christmas. The reason for it is uncertain but it has been building up inside him for a long time. When his wife wants to take an orphan child for one month during the Christmas season, he reluctantly agrees. Feeling inadequate to be a father to an orphan child for a short time and his bad attitude toward the season, he isn’t in the best of moods. After picking up the five-year-old girl from the orphanage, something begins to happen to him. Day by day, his heart begins to soften and his relationship with his wife improves. His attitude begins to change for the better. Could this one small girl affect his life so much? But that’s not all. There’s much more! This precious darling changes everyone’s life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved the relationship between Max and his wife. They are such a fun and cute couple. This story is filled with compassion, love, and humor. But make sure you have a hanky ready for those very tender moments. You’ll need it! “Christmas Notes” will touch your heart as it did mine.
Written by Linda Weaver Clarke, author of a historical sweet romance series, “A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho,” and a mystery series, “The Adventures of John and Julia Evans.”
November 3, 2011
This was a story about an orphan 5 year old girl that could not speak. She wrote notes to everyone that she cared about. She had been in a serious auto accident that took the lives of her parents. A man & woman wanted to take an orphan to their home for Christmas and when they went to pick one up it turned out to this 5 year old. Because she was such a happy person she had good influence on many people. There were lots of messages in this story.
January 4, 2016
Cute story with predictable storyline. Even though I haven't read a story with these problems before, the ending isn't hard to guess. The detail of Max's frustration and discouragement with his job search read real to life. The estrangement and subsequent reuniting with his parents seemed lame..if it was that easy to make all the past go away, why did it go on for 2 years? A good read for Christmas time, but not life changing.
March 14, 2012
I was given this book for Christmas and had forgotten about it. I happened to know this author's parents when we lived in Manti 18 years ago so I am partial. It was fun to read, but the plot was a little hard to believe. It's a feel-good, Christmas time read that will help you get into the true spirit of Christmas. Not the best book ever, but very sweet.
December 30, 2014
I really wanted to like this, but I thought it was terrible. Unbelievable plot; who can adopt that easy? I thought everything was stereotypical, the orphanage was dark and cold, the main character was sad at Christmas. This reminded me of a cheesy hallmark movie. Definitely has an audience, but it's not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2015
This was the selection for December book club. It is a quick read, and although not the best writing in the world (and some unrealistic parts), I thought it was a great story. It's clean, and I liked the characters. It had a bit of a Richard Paul Evans' book feel to it. It also made me think about some ways I could help others-great, especially for the Christmas season.
October 6, 2011
It was amazing! This book pulls at the tender emotions that come with parenting. Everyone will be able to "liken" themselves to one of the characters struggles and defining moments. Truly a Christmas Classic!
October 17, 2011
This is a great gift perfect for Christmas! I was so moved by this story. It truly is a great story with a message for everyone to find what is important in our lives. My note would say, "Family" to always remind me that my family is most important!
October 6, 2011
This was an awesome book. Everyone should read this great inspiring story. Merrill Osmond
November 2, 2011
I really liked this book. It was original enough to make a great Christmas story. I thought he did a great job on it and I liked the message it brought.
November 14, 2011
I couldn't put this book down. It will be one I read each year to put me in the Christmas Spirit!
December 7, 2011
A sweet story to get you in the holiday spirit.
December 14, 2011
I absolutely loved this book and am asking myself what my notes would say if i were to have a pocket full myself. Truly the true meaning of christmas.
December 8, 2012
Swat story with a great message!
January 24, 2012
Sweet story.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews