Then Christmas Happens: A Dixon on Disney "Christmas" Adventure

by Jeff Dixon

It is just an ordinary day—then Christmas happens !It is Christmas Eve in the most magical place in the world, the Walt Disney World Resort. As Grayson Hawkes prepares for a quiet Christmas his world is suddenly turned upside down with the arrival of a baby in the most unusual place showing up in the most unusual way. Hawk unexpectedly finds himself hurled into a Christmas mystery that takes him and his friends to the edge as they fight for the baby in the manger on Christmas Eve.

Author Jeff Dixon once again weaves fact, history, and trivia to create his first ever action novella. As only he can, Dixon offers Disney fans their ultimate holiday wish—the adventure of experiencing Walt Disney World from the inside out

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2023

About the author

Jeff is the author of a series of books set in Central Florida, in and around the Walt Disney World Resort. These mystery thrillers are loaded with trivia, hidden secrets, and loaded with adventure as parody, reality, and fiction built on fact (or "faction" as some have called it, collide in epic stories that are designed to take readers on the ultimate thrill ride.

Reviews

[Megan Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world of Disney is a magical place but in Christmas, Dixon makes it seem an even more magical place. This novella is an action-packed read filled with emotion and magic, to the point it feels as if I'm in Disney World at Christmas. As a lifelong Disney fan, this novella was a fun little Christmas read.
When reading I hadn't realised it was part of a series so perhaps that is why I wasn't fully engaged with the story. But this Christmas arc has me wanting to read more of Dixon's work.
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this Disney themed arc. Is was a cute story mostly due to the setting at Disney world and how it was incorporated into the story. If it weren't for the Disney the story on its own wouldn't have been as good. I'm assuming since I didn't read any of the other books in the series I was missing a lot of the character background I was craving. The plot seemed a little rushed and definitely ended on a cliffhanger. I loved the story with the Christmas box though! There were also a lot of typos but I'm assuming it being an ARC that will be fixed.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could definitely have used some more editing - I found quite a few spelling errors, grammatical errors.. But generally, that didn't keep me from enjoying it.

This was just.. okay. Especially when compared to the other books I've read in this series. It had it's cute moments, for sure. But what makes Jeff Dixon's writing so good is how he plays the long game - the twists and turns to get you to final conclusion. And this is just too short for that. It wasn't bad, it just is definitely the weakest of the series.

[Josh Avery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically it’s Matthew 1-2 but the Magi and the King switched places, and the manger is in Adventureland. Everything else is the same.

I fully recommend all the other Kingdom books though!

[Jamye Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got to read this book as a ARC from NetGalley. It's a quick read - only about 58 pages. It definitely needed some additional editing in a few places. I had never read anything from this author. And, unfortunately, I wasn't super in love with this story. As a huge Disney fan, I figured anything set within the parks would be perfect for me. This book just fell a little flat for me. The dialogue was a bit too cheesy and the story way too predictable.

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, sweet story set in Disney World Florida on Christmas Eve.

A witness runs from the FBI witness protection scheme and chooses to hide in plain site at Disney World, but the gang he betrayed are hot on his heels.

The writing was very simple and without the Disney setting, there wasn’t really much substance to it, but it was an enjoyable enough 30 minute read.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jeff Dixon and BooksGoSocial, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. I had a great time Reading this book. It gave out such festive vibes.

What a joy іt was tо reunite with Hawk and his pals
And explore the Magic Kingdom's wonders and thrills
On a Christmas Eve adventure full оf magic and fun.

If you have followed their journey іn the Key tо the Kingdom books
You will surely enjoy this festive tale with its twists and hooks
But іf you haven't, don't worry, you can still join the fun
Just grab the first book and start reading, you won't regret it
If you are a fan оf Walt Disney and his amazing legacy
You will love this series that celebrates his vision and creativity
Treat yourself tо this gift for Christmas, you deserve it.

#ThenChristmasHappens #NetGalley

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read "Then Christmas Happens: A Dixon on Disney 'Christmas' Adventure" in exchange for my honest review.

This was an incredibly enjoyable novella - I truly wished it had been longer because it was so engaging. It's Christmas Eve at the Magic Kingdom and the descriptions for those that have been bring back all the memories and those that haven't been can clearly picture it.

A young couple is being chased down Main Street USA by assassins. They get lost in the crowd but Jillian Batterson from security has seen what is happening and is trying to help.

Shep Albert from Special Operations is showing his family around Tomorrowland, heading for the Carousel of Progress when a young woman named Angel begs him to find the baby.

Grayson Hawkes is Chief Creative Architect with the Walt Disney Company and he's in his apartment on top of the Fire Station in Town Square. Cash King from the FBI arrives and tells him that they need help locating a man from the Witness Protection Program who might be in the park.

The baby is found in the manger by the Jungle Cruise. They learn that the man they are looking for is named Joseph Carpenter and he is on the waitlist for the inn but the resorts are all at capacity. 4 armed men want the baby and this starts mayhem at the Jungle Cruise. With the baby safe and the information secured, the friends gather to reflect.

The Christmas story that plays out in this novella shows us that nothing is more valuable than loving someone. Christmas magic started that first Christmas night - it gives us hope. What starts out as an ordinary day at the Magic Kingdom....then Christmas happens.

[Stan Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great Christmas surprise!

I was excited when I saw the email from Amazon last night telling me that Jeff Dixon had a new book out. Of course I had to get it to see what it was about. I am glad I did.

It was great catching up with Hawk and friends and visiting the Magic Kingdom again and going on a Christmas Eve adventure.

If you have read his Key to the Kingdom series, I expect you will love that this Christmas Eve adventure as well. If not, I recommend you start now. If you love Walt Disney & the Kingdoms he and Roy built and the family friendly stories he told, you will love this series. Give it to yourself for Christmas. You will be glad you did.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc of this book.

Then Christmas Happens was an interesting take on what it would be like for a family involved Christmas where fiction and facts meet to take place inside a Disney park. I was not aware that this is not the first book by this author for these characters (I only found out while reading the introduction that there are others). I will admit that I thought I would really enjoy this books as it pertains to the Disney parks but I was underwhelmed. It was a quick, sweet story and overall just okay for me.

[Alicia Schaper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to read this!

This is my first book by this author! I LOVE anything disney and Jeff did a great job making me feel like I was there with all the details and descriptions!

Then Christmas Hapens takes place in Disney World so that was really neat to read! It was a quick, cute little cozy story about Christmas and Friendship with some action thrown in! Not my usual genre but I did enjoy the book!

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not for me. I love Disney World and go almost every year so thought this would be up my alley. However the plot just did not fit the location and there were too many characters to follow for such a short book. I also did not like that there was an obvious Christian-religious tilt to the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher/author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quirky little novella is set at the Walt Disney Resort on Christmas Eve.

People running from bad guys, a baby being rescued for the manger, its crime meets the nativity as Grayson Hawkes and his friends work to save the day...Christmas Day.

It wasn't quite the sweet Disney theme park story I was expecting, but if you consider Die Hard a Christmas movie, this book might be just your speed.

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lifelong Disney lover (I even worked there for a few years), this Christmas novella was right up my alley. The Disney tidbits was really cool. I definitely think this needed a little more information to not feel as rushed but it’s a novella. I definitely want to check out other titles by this author.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect mix

This book is a perfect mix of action and adventure with a touch of the reason for the season. Like most of Dixon’s books his detailed descriptions spark a party in your minds eye. You are able to walk down the middle of Main Street USA and experience to sights, sounds, aroma and even the feeling of the streets beneath your feet!

[Theresa Werner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jeff Dixon’s short story set in Disney World during Christmas Eve. A nice quick read to remind us of the spirit of Christmas in our busy lives when a baby is found in a manger display in the Magic Kingdom.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖤BOOK REVIEW🖤
🎄Then Christmas Happens by Jeff Dixon
⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fun read that takes you into the best setting in the world -- DISNEY. I loved the idea of a quick, short story taking place at a theme park I love. Don't take it too seriously and just have fun with it.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing can ever be bad if it has Disney in it. Loved the story intertwined with the park happenings. The story was cute and it tied the theme park with the holiday with typical Disney flare.

[Vikki Milroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely short story that transports me back to my favourite place and catching up with the Keys To The Kingdom crew.