A Magical Christmas

by Heather Graham

Jon and Julie Radcliff are facing the last Christmas of a marriage in trouble. The love they once shared has been tattered by time and torn apart by divergent goals. Their teenagers, Christie and Jordan, are rebellious, and their youngest child, six-year-old Ashley, is showing the hurt and confusion of her family's turmoil. Yet somehow the Christmas season must be gotten through even if it is only a game of let's pretend we are the way we always were. The perfect place for this make-believe is the Oak River Plantation in Virginia, a place of simple values, far from their sophisticated and difficult life in Miami. Here the Radcliffs are promised a traditional Christmas with all the Yuletide trimmings. So imagine their surprise when they are met by the quaint couple in charge, Jesse and Clarissa Wainscott, dressed in costumes dating from before the Civil War. Have they somehow entered another world that spans the gulf between past and present? Before Jon and Julie and their children can uncover the secrets surrounding their mysterious but marvelous hosts, they become aware of some profound truths about themselves. And suddenly they discover that love lost can be found again, making the bond of marriage and family strong enough to survive, even triumph.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Fiction, Holiday, Paranormal, Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Also published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.

Reviews

[Brianna Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a neat Christmas story! I loved that it wasn’t too Hallmark-y for once. It was refreshing and showed just how truly magical the season can be.

🌀Synopsis
Jon and Julie are about to get divorced. They briefly split up years ago and Jon was unfaithful- now Julie can’t seem to forgive him. They are at their wits end with each other, their jobs, their lives…
They decide to have one more old fashioned family Christmas before they split permanently. With one kid missing her boyfriend and one doing drugs, it’s making quite the trip. The kicker- they are staying at an old plantation and only the youngest daughter realizes their hosts are ghosts.
As the trip goes on the family realizes it may be just what they need. It gives them time to slow down and to really listen to each other. They start to work through their issues and a near death experience shows Jon and Julie their truest priorities.
They leave the plantation a different family, knowing that particular magical Christmas saved them all.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was my second book by Heather Graham. I'm a sucker for Christmas stories and it seems to me that she likes a little magical element to hers. A nice holiday read for sure.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting spin on a marriage-gone-bad with a time travel element. It was probably one of the better time travel romances I have read in the past five years.

[Staceyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful feel good Christmas Story.

[Sandy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve not read many Heather Graham books, despite the number in my TBR mountain. But I have read at least one of her Christmas stories, A Season of Miracles, years ago and loved it. So when hoping for a few holiday books to review for you this year, I was glad to receive a copy of A Magical Christmas. I knew I wouldn’t be let down one bit.


I like the fact that Ms. Graham’s holiday spirit in her stories includes a bit of the paranormal. That enhances the mystique and feel of the season for me. This time we meet two families who are anticipating Christmas day. First are the Wainscotts, a family from the past, 1862, when the patriarch, Jesse, is due to be hanged with four of his men, after being captured by Custer. Jesse has regrets – not able to see his wife’s face one last time, the awful row he had with his son when the boy decided to fight for the Union. This is one of those situations where you should be careful what you wish for.

Then we have the Radcliffs, a family that is falling apart. Julie is close to filing for divorce. Her husband’s betrayal seven years before is something she just can’t forgive. Jon has done everything he can to provide for his family and to make up to Julie for his indiscretion. Their children are out of control, selfish and rarely minding either parent without an argument. Except for little six-year-old Ashley. She’s just confused and her pain weighs on her mother and father.

Jon wants to take a family Christmas vacation – to either heal their hurts and problems or be together one last time before their end comes. Julie objects and drags her feet, but she finally agrees, and miraculously she’s able to get reservations for the beautiful Victorian B&B, Oak River Plantation, where an old-fashioned, traditional holiday is guaranteed. From the moment they arrive, you can see the change – albeit a very slow change – in each and every one of them. Clarissa Wainscott is the perfect hostess, cooking delicious meals and offering a tender touch when needed. Jesse takes care of guests’ entertainment around the grounds, and son Aaron always comes home for Christmas.

What the Radcliffs won’t know until the very end, even after the reader is enlightened, is that that long-ago night when Captain Wainscott was to hang, his family came running with the hope to stop the tragedy – his wife with gun brandished and his son charging in with brothers-in-arms at his back. What ensued was complete chaos and a tragedy far more tragic than just one death. An entire family ceased to be that night, Christmas Eve, and now they wait each and every year for December 24 to come again so they can all be together just one night of the year, to heal hurts and feel the love they never truly lost. While waiting for that time, the Wainscotts also help heal other hurts for families who make it to Oak River, like the Radcliffs.

But most of the work has to be done by each family member, realizing that lost love can be found, they need each other in good times and bad, and life is a gift to be lived to the fullest. I like the way both Jon and Julie finally look at their situation from each other’s perspective, giving their marriage the chance it never had before. Their children also find a new path within the family, supporting one another with a stronger love than ever before. It’s not until a year later when returning to the B&B to thank their hosts for bringing them together again that they piece together and learn the truth about Oak River, its inhabitants, and ghostly past. I love the end of the book, from their nighttime discoveries to an unexpected confirmation of their suppositions.

Of course, the biggest lesson learned is to never walk away from your loved ones in anger, you never know what will happen in life that you may never see them again, the Wainscotts being the perfect example of this and who are now helping folks avoid a fate such as theirs. This is a wonderful holiday story, taking these characters from the depths of despair to the heights of happiness, done with an otherworldly hand. The Christmas spirit of love moves through you page to page as you come to know these characters. I found myself wishing the Waitscotts would be given new life, but then who would help all those in trouble during the holiday season? Everyone is right where they need to be.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely not a Harlequin girl, but I absolutely loved this holiday romance!

The book starts off in 1862 at the time of the American Civil War, and General Custer has ordered the hanging of five Confederate soldiers on Christmas Eve. The 25 men are supposed to draw straws, with the ones drawing the five short ones to be hanged. The Captain simply cannot stand by and allow five of his men to die, so he volunteers to take the place of the youngest, a 13-year-old boy who happened to wind up with them only because his parents were believed to be dead and he had nowhere else to go.

The story then moves to the present day, where we meet the Radcliff family. Things are not going well between Julie and Jon. Jon makes Julie feel that her job as real estate agent is second fiddle to his job as a lawyer, and he leaves her with the responsibility of getting the kids off to school and the housework plus working full-time. Julie feels like she is doing it all, with no help from Jon. They have three children: Ashley (age 6), Jordan (age 13), and Christie (age 17).

Jon sees an advertisement for a holiday vacation at a remote, old-fashioned Virginian plantation. He wants the family to get away for Christmas and to disconnect from their demanding jobs to focus on their family. For him, he sees it as a last-ditch effort to save his marriage. Julie has so much resentment and anger towards Jon, who had an affair, that she really just wants to end the marriage and move on. However, she agrees to go away on a family vacation one last time to give the kids a nice Christmas.

When the Radcliff family arrives at Oak River Plantation, they are in awe over the rustic and historical feel of the home. The owner’s wife, Clarissa Wainscott, is dressed in a period-appropriate long dress with petticoats which is very fitting for the home’s style. At first, Jon and Julie engage in outdoor activities with the kids separately but they both find that they long to do things together. The magic of Oak River Plantation does wonders for the couple, and they come to the realization that what each of them wants is not so dissimilar.

Heather Graham is a new-to-me author, and she totally blew me away with this captivating story! I literally could not put it down! I cringed at how Jon and Julia treated one another. They were downright mean and disrespectful towards each other, and I was a bit horrified! However, I do think that it is probably more realistic and common than people want to admit. My heart ached at their pain, but I also revelled in their times of joy! I was utterly swept away with the historical aspect of the story and Oak River Plantation’s history. I loved how Graham weaved the two eras together seamlessly. This is an emotional second-chance holiday romance, that gave me all the right feels to put me into the Christmas Spirit! I loved it, and I plan to add this one to my annual Christmas reading list. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

This review was posted on my book blog:
http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.ca/2...

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandmother loaned me this book and since it is Christmas time I thought it would be appropriate to read it now. This is not going to wow you, but it was a "feel good" story. I breezed through it, the characters were interesting enough. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it, but if you're looking for something quick this will do.

[Laura Aase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jon and Julie are at the end of their marriage. Bitterness and anger and blame are leading Julie to divorce Jon. When Jon suggests a last Christmas holiday at an old plantation Julie agrees. The lovely host and hostess, never seen together, seem very intuitive to their situation and the family slowly heals Interspersed with scenes from the civil war the young daughter Ashley figures it out before anyone else. I really enjoyed this. It was different and interesting.

[Nancynova · Rating 3 out of 5]

rabck box from svoight 11/10; the story bounces between the Captain's house being held by the Union as a POW camp and modern day. During the civil war, the captain is sentenced to hang, and his wife, son and daughter are all estranged by the war. And all he wants is to see them all one last time to tell them that he loves them, because their last time together was filled with arguments. Unfortunately, the news of his hanging turns into a skirmish that kills him and his family. So, every year at Christmas, Oak Plantation magically reappears, with all those who were present that day, for a family that needs to learn the lesson that love is better than divorce, and children - even sulky teens - are to be listened to and precious. The magic affects not only the parents, but the children too.

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marriage in trouble. Two rebellious kids, and one confused very young child. A most probable last Christmas with the marriage intact. The family in turmoil decides to spend Christmas at the quaint Oak River Plantation. They are a bit surprised upon their arrival to find their hosts dressed in pre-Civil War era garb. However, Oak River Plantation may be just what they need to renew love, heal teenagers, and comfort a 6-year-old.

[Fefi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una storia di Natale che mette in luce legami familiari in crisi, ma che insegna che quando si è uniti, tutto è superabile e l'amore va oltre il tempo.
Si svolge su due piani temporali per poi unirsi con un pizzico di paranormale che fa apprezzare ancora di più la magia del Natale.
Veloce da leggere e molto carino.

[Lindsey Ruppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A holiday favorite of mine! A wonderful story of second chances and true love!

[Megan Alton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The "magic" was fine but it couldn't make up for parents who can't be civil with each other or control their language around their children.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book was very cute and Christmasy! It was very relatable and magical and entertaining. My only complaint is that the sections in the past were very brief and only in the first half of the book. I know why it was done, but I just wish it would’ve been a little more developed or just told differently. There were also some really long chapters, but the font and spacing were big enough that it didn’t slog too long. I also though the kids ages were a little younger than their situations and they could’ve been aged up to make it a little more realistic.

SPOILERS AHEAD:
This book was about a couple named Jon and Julie. They’re really struggling in their marriage and the resentment and bitterness is high. They had taken a break at some point and he had slept with someone else and she can’t get over it. They also have 3 kids and just get caught up in the day to day stuff. They find an ad for a remote little plantation that does a Christmas event where they dress up and do a whole event. They decide to go to hopefully disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other. When they get there, things are a little weird but they can’t figure out why. The mom is always around in the evening, the dad during the day, the son hangs out in the cemetery and the daughter in the attic. As for the Radcliffs (the family who is visiting) the dad takes the 3 kids to build snowmen in the morning and the mom takes them horseback riding in the afternoon. They’re really just doing their own things. However, in the end the Mom and dad are ice skating and the ice breaks and they have to save each other. The Wainscott son tells the Radcliff daughter about a family who was torn apart by disagreements over the civil war and they all died and never got to make amends. Through all of that, the Radcliffs come back to each other and realize how important their family is and all is well. They try to go back a year later and can’t find the house but the daughter finds the Wainscott son in the cemetery again and he says they don’t need the house. Long story short, the Wainscotts are the family that all died in the civil war. They are ghosts and the house has burned and doesn’t actually exist but it appears for those who need it. The parts that were told in the past were of the Wainscotts during civil war times. The son was on one side of the war, the dad on the other. The dad was to be hung, the mom and daughter went to save him and the son was coming to charge on the opposite side. All got killed and died on Christmas Eve but they’re able to reunite on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Very cute story. I don’t like how Jon and Julie talked about having another kid at the end like that’s the only way to show that your marriage is healed, but whatever.

[Dona DeSy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magico Natale di Heather Graham

Non avrei mai pensato che questo vecchio euroclub mi sarebbe piaciuto tanto…
Una favola di Natale con tanta magia natalizia sullo stile “ la vita è una cosa meravigliosa” di James steward .
Senza spoiler perché il bello della storia va scoperto , il libro si svolge all’inizio su due piani temporali , per poi unirsi in uno solo . Il passato fa da maestro e dottore al presente in una maniera dolcissima e magica. Le sofferenze, le separazioni , il dolore del passato cercano di aiutare il presente in maniera inaspettata e sorprendente.
La storia parte da Julie e Jon , agente immobiliare lei avvocato lui ; una famiglia con tre figli, in crisi profonda.
La crisi parte principalmente dalla coppia: Julie e Jon si sono persi nei meandri della vita di tutti i giorni, nei problemi economici e poi nella quotidianità spossante… si sono lasciati la mano, quando avrebbero dovuto tenersela forte e così hanno anche perso di vista specialmente i figli più grandi Christie e Jordan. Ashley la più piccola, patisce moltissimo la situazione,
Ed è quella che soffrirà di più dell’imminente divorzio dei genitori.
Consapevoli del baratro vicino comunque la coppia cerca di concedersi un ultimo Natale insieme in vacanza.
Una storia d’amore non soltanto di coppia ma corale , che abbraccia tutta la famiglia…con un “aiutino” magico…
Riscalda il cuore.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jon Radcliff is a lawyer. Julie, his wife, is a real estate agent. They live in Miami with their 17-year-old Christie, Jordan - 13, and Ashley -6, and their family is falling apart. Jon decides they should go on one last Christmas vacation - to an old fashioned manor - Oak River Plantation - in northern VA.

Oak River is special. During the Civil War, it was owned by Jesse Wainscott and his wife Clarissa. Jesse fought for the South. Their son Aaron left without saying goodbye to fight for the North. On Christmas Eve, 1862, Jesse has been caught and is to be hung with four of his men. When the family members hear, they all run to rescue him, but all end up being killed, even sister Mary -12. Now the Wainscotts help other families in trouble. They all haunt different areas and times except on Christmas Eve when they're all together. The Radcliffs are helped that year . When they try to go back the next year, it can't be found, but they hear the legend and help another family to find it.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In A Magical Christmas, the prologue wrote to me:

FIVE REBS TO HANG
two sides a-warring
and a volunteer as tribute.

In A Magical Christmas, this was the main story:

three children whining
two parents fighting
FIVE AIRLINE SEATS
four busted cars
three sus hosts
two rescue tries
and the most maudlin ending I've seen.

...sorry wanted to try something.

Anyway, the cover is different on mine, of a poinsettia on a window sill.

Other gripes:
- The main (contemporary) characters seem to be pre-loaded with the ABSOLUTE WORST thing to say at each offence.
- Ashley seems curiously precocious for six years old (but kids do tend to be smarter than we think?).
- The dramatic parts were SO DRAMATIC.
- Epilogue feels a BIT "Do you get it? Huh?? GET IT??!"

Good:
+ Overcoming prejudice
+ Actual acknowledgement that the Civil War was about slavery, not "States Rights (to have slavery)"
+ Honestly not the worst book I've read

All said, if you're into Christmas and historical fiction, you might want to pick this up!

[Lisa Winden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel sucked me right in from the start. Heather Graham has a wonderful way of describing a scene that puts you in the thick of the action. I felt for the Radcliff family and understood their struggles. I worried about Jordan and understood what was so frustrating for Christie. Jon and Julie clearly loved one another but couldn't seem to get it together. Every argument they had frustrated me with how thick headed they were being. The subtle hints of supernatural happenings was blended into the story in such a way that any non believer would have become a believer. I highly recommend this one even to those who don't think they like supernatural elements to their stories.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit this book was at times hard for me to read. Mainly because I found all the main characters to be unlikable and I feel it was supposed to be that way but it just wasn't something I liked at all. I felt they could have had a bit more traits to make them likeable sooner.

I did love the plot and setting though and the ending was done well. Which is the reason for three stars. Otherwise I may have just given it two stars.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!! What a great book, started it on Christmas, what a fun book to read through the holidays!!! A little bit of love, a little bit of mystery, a little bit of supernatural. A great little tale about bringing the family together for Christmas and the ties that bind our families. As a native to Virginia I felt this boom personally too. Loved it very much, highly reccomend as a story to get you away from the regular Christmas tale. As a side note, it would make a fantastic movie!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christmas Story

The Radcliffe family was having trouble just being around each other. They found an ad for a bed and breakfast at an antebellum plantation. The ad said they could enjoy an old fashion Christmas. The family went to the plantation. The family who ran the plantation was wonderful. The family started to mend. This is a heartwarming story, and it is perfect for a good feeling Christmas read.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book written by Heather Graham and I wasn’t disappointed. I actually liked the storyline connection between past and present. I liked the family theme and how the author tied the ghosts to the relationship strain in the family. I would definitely recommend this book to fellow readers. I’d love to read other stories by Heather Graham as well!

[Shana Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was worth the read. It's all about family and relationships and what happens when life gets in the way and you take things for granted. Its about a husband and wife with marital problems, about to get a divorce and their family. They find an ad for a Traditional Christmas and make arrangements to go. They learn about themselves and one another during their stay. Worth the read.

[diana romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Magical Christmas by Heather Graham

This is another winner. One of my favorite Authors. I have read over 2020 of her books. I stated reading her books in the 60,s. I high!y recommend all her books and different series. I love ghost stories and mysteries and love stories and she writes them all. Diana Romano

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the Civil War, a terrible tragedy took place. Now, to the present over a 100 years later, the Radcliffe family would go on a mini vacation to an inn called Oak River Plantation to mark their last Christmas together. While at the inn, they would have a very different one than they planned. Something amazing and wonderful would happen to change their minds and hearts forever. A good read.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved,loved, loved this story, it truly was magical! Genius to combine two different time periods. It was so special and heartfelt. Thank you Heather for giving me such a beautiful , warm, touching story!

[Valerie Robinson]

I absolutely loved this. I loved the fact that the ghosts helped them learn to love again. And I think I knew that when they tried to find the place the next year that they could have looked forever and never found the place again because only those who need it will be able to find it.

[Myra Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I figured out part of the story before it was revealed by the author, but I was still surprised by part of the story. This is definitely a "feel good" book which is perfect for Christmas reading.

[Anna McFadden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The marriage of Jon and Julie Radcliff is in serious trouble so they pack their 3 kids up to have 1 last Christmas together. For the kids. When they reach a "bed and breakfast" strange this start to happen to all 5 of them.

[Jen Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely Christmas story about a family that just can’t get along. They decide to take one last Christmas vacation before calling it quits and find themselves at a mysterious beautiful bread and breakfast that just might be filled with Christmas Spirits!