Kissing Santa

by Aithne Jarretta

Heartwarming Christmas Short 3922 words
* * *
Lily Johnson, estranged from family, travels home for the Christmas holidays. She seeks mending of family arguments. There's also the potential reunion with an old flame.
The storm of the century hits the little community where Lily grew up. The severe snowfall creates deep worry over the fate of her one true love.
Christopher Crin, all-American fireman, is well known for his holiday gift giving and spirit. He even bears the nickname 'Cringle' in his circle of friends. Everything Chris' comes into contact with has a magical outcome of purity and good.
Temperature raging below zero strengthens Chris' determination to push through the storm and deliver Christmas gifts to the children. Ultimately, there's one special gift his heart desires to deliver.
Will Lily receive and accept?

* * *
Also by Aithne Jarretta

 Concentric Circles - B001PR092Q

the Lost Fae  -   B0078Y5UII (38,382 words)

 Enchanted
Charmed Evermore -  B008QL2Z5I  (15,250 words)

Short   Kissing
Santa -  B0060739N2 (3,952
words)

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Holiday, Short Stories, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

17 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2011

Reviews

[megHan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me knows my feelings on romance. I have been told that my opinion is wrong and have had several books recommended to me - which I will get to, I promise :p - but until then, since the last Christmas romance short story didn't not kill me, I decided to try another

I feel like romance books and stories have a certain formula and that not many of them step away from that. (I've read that there are specific rules for the genre.) This formula leaves things pretty predictable, with an ending that always makes you feel all warm and toasty. Especially when it is winter holiday themed.

This one wasn't too bad. SHE loves HIM and doesn't want to admit it. SHE's even moved out of state to get away from HIM and her family. SHE's happy in her new state, but misses HIM. Then the mother guilt-trips her to come back home for the holidays and of course she goes.

I loved her nephew and the bit with her, him in the window - it was cool and really sweet. I wish they had explained HIM a little more instead of just skirting the whole magical-thing. I am confused about the lily - read it, tell me what you think.

The ending was syrupy sweet and cute, but I liked it.

Note: It is free on Amazon.

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 1 out of 5]

24/9 - This could hardly be called a book. It was more like the final chapter in a badly edited romance. Nothing was explained properly. Not why a firefighter was not good enough for the Lily, not who Chris really is, not why the author bothered writing such a short 'book' when with a little extra effort she could have written an extra 80 pages and fleshed out, well everything. The book also needed a good dose of editing, mostly in the case of missing words. I have no idea if this should be taken as a good example of Jarretta's writing, but it's certainly not good encouragement for further exploration of her work.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Face it, a short, cute and fluffy Holiday love story, no matter how short can be simply magical. Kissing Santa by Aithne Jarretta is a heart-warming and very short read about a woman who comes home after years spent away, to find the warmth and love of her family still there, still waiting for her. Only one thing could make her Christmas perfect, but she lost her chance with a man whose very presence could light up a room as he faithfully played Santa, no matter what. Will Santa deliver?

Plain and simple, this is a chick-lit Holiday read that will make you smile when you need a quick break.

Publication Date: October 26, 2011
Publisher: Bird of Paradise Publishing
ISBN: 9781466104563
Genre: Holiday Romance
Page Count: 17
Available from: Amazon

[VampAmber · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short "story" can't even be considered a story, if you ask me. It seemed more like the last chapter of a book. You're given almost no explanation for pretty much anything. All you're really told is that the guy is her ex, and her dad didn't want her to date him. That's it. That's ALL the backstory you get. I understand that it was only 17 pages, but if you're going to write a story, you actually need to include the story, you know? Not just the ending. It doesn't look like this is part of a series or anything, so instead it just makes zero sense. You're given no explanation for why Chris has magic powers, and without any backstory or build up whatsoever, suddenly he proposes to Lily and she says yes. Dafuq? Seriously, did I miss the previous twenty chapters that explain why she says yes to a marriage proposal from her ex-boyfriend, whom she hasn't seen or had any contact with in over five years? It made no sense, period. The worst part was, if the author had actually made this into a whole story, instead of the 14% or so that we actually get, it had the potential to be really good. I definitely would've read it, and probably loved it, if it were a full novel or even a novella.

And as if the complete lack of any explanation wasn't bad enough, there were a whole bunch of unfixed spelling and grammatical errors. It made it kind of hard to take it serious. I'm really disappointed about the whole ebook, because I was really looking forward to it. I downloaded it because it sounded so interesting. If it hadn't been free, I'd be even more upset.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short, happy Holiday love story about Lily who goes home for Christmas after being away for several years.

She is releaved that her family still supports and loves her but what about the handsome fireman who plays Santa?

Like all short stories, it ended too soon. I would like to have read more about Lily and Chris.

If you want a quick break and to be reminded that Christmas is magical, read Kissing Santa.

[Paula Legate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free book, so I down loaded it to my kindle. It was very short, but it was so sweet! A perfect book to read for the holidays.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story.

[Marlena Smith-Burris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kissing Santa is a delightful short story. Lily Johnson travels home for the Christmas holidays. A storm hit the little community, interfering with the holiday traditions of Santa delivering gifts. Every year the firemen spread Christmas cheer by visiting the children and families of the town. One particular fireman, Christopher Crin, is the one person Lily finds herself worrying about during the storm. Being an old flame, she is hopeful but also dreads a potential reunion.

This is such a cute story! The magic of Christmas, combined with love and hope, will make any story enjoyable. And that’s exactly what you have in Kissing Santa. The only downfall is it ends too quickly. You can’t help but want more from this dynamic duo.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland

3.5 stars

Kissing Santa is a very short holiday read. I enjoyed the story, and I would definitely read a prequel or something to see how Lily and Christopher first got together and what happened between them.

Lily is home for Christmas when a storm hits. There is a tradition of the firefighters delivering Christmas presents to all the kids as Santa on Christmas Eve, with Christopher heading the gift giving. With the weather Lily and the kids are not sure Santa will still make it, but Christopher is not willing to give up. Not only do the kids need him, he needs to see Lily before she leaves again. It is a cute, really quick read.

[Never Never Land · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this short story for free on Amazon through a promotion that is currently running. Check it out I believe that the promotion is still going on!

This was a nice short story about a girl returning home to find her family and true love are still waiting for her. I have read other short stories and have been left wanting but that is not the case with this read. Aithne does a great job to put you in the story and includes all the little details. I think she did a great job at building the characters and suspense.

This is definitely a chick lit book but leaves you all warm and cozy and ready for the holidays! I recommend this quick read!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute very shirt Christmas story.. As a hopeless romantic, I loved it, just wished it was longer...
Lily Johnson travels home for the Christmas holidays. A storm hit the little community, interfering with the holiday traditions of Santa delivering gifts. Every year the firemen spread Christmas cheer by visiting the children and families of the town. One particular fireman, Christopher Crin, is the one person Lily finds herself worrying about during the storm. Being an old flame, she is hopeful but also dreads a potential reunion.

[Silverana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story but couldn't decide if I should give it a 4 or 5 because of how well it was written or a 3 because it was too short to give us a lot of information. I will give it a 4 because despite the shortness of the story or lack of information I really wanted the story to continue and see more of the characters. It actually seemed like a story that could be part of a series since we were give the point of views of more than one character.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Kissing Santa is a short story about a woman, Lily Johnson, who travels home for Christmas, and meets her old sweetheart Christopher Crin, a fireman.

This is a sweet story about reencounters, love and the magic of Christmas that I would recommend to every fan of short Romances.

[Haley Whitehall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas themed short story. The plot was believable and I appreciated it wasn't love at first sight. These two have had feelings for each other for years but are finally ready to accept and act on them. I thought the ending was rushed and would have liked Chris's special abilities to have been explained. There really isn't enough fantasy for it to be in that category.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

by Andrea Renee Cox

This tiny story is charming and sweet, with a wonderful hero. It was a heartwarming romance. However, I had to give it only one star, because it used the Lord's name in vain. As a side note, there were typos throughout that should have been caught during editing.

This is my honest review.

[Sandra (Waiting For Wentworth) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really sweet, but unbelievable and slightly uninspiring, this story has all the cheese of the season! I would be interested in reading this as a fully fleshed out story because the novella leaves a LOT unsaid and undone.

[Deb · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story was short and free. I'm glad I didn't pay for it. The story was confusing, and it seemed to be written by someone who was using English as a second language. The story could use some editing and corrections.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet but all to short, i wanted more, a lot more

[Aubry Macbean · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute wish it was longer.

[Carol Burnside · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable holiday read with a touch of whimsey and magic.

[Tawanna C Thornton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of odd

short story. not much of a plot. Really hard to follow. could have been developed much better. would have been a good ending to the entire story.

[Annie Rayburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable holiday read with a touch of whimsey and magic.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good short story, however I do wish the auther would have done more to make it more interesting. I look forward ro reading more of this authors work.

[Mary C. Snider]

Great story.

very well written, characters were wonderfully built. would definitely refer book to others. would love to read more books by author

[LINDA BOURG · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute litte short story about family at Christmas time and a reunion between Lily and Chris. Just when it was getting interesting boom it was over. But i liked it.

[Jeanette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank God this was free and didn't take long to read. It was painfully cheesy, to the point of making me roll my eyes. Dear God it was dumb.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kissing Santa

Sometimes you think love is lost, but really it was just laying in wait for the right Christmas miracle to happen.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

this is one Christmas magic and past love.the family that perverted the young people from being to getter.the ending was happy.

[Jaclyn Lander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awe

So sweet wish it didn't end. Definitely a ChristmAs story that should be read. Also it's a really easy read.

[Laurycardona · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was....
Uhmm...
Not good enough