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The Hell Tales #1
Hell's Christmas
Monika Hell seemed to have it all. She was gorgeous, owned a nice condo, an expensive car, an endless wardrobe, and had a great job as a store manager in the mall. But, she was mean, miserable, and worst of all, hated Christmas.
Kidnapped from the mall parking lot on Christmas Eve, her life is turned upside down. Now, on Christmas morning, she finds herself in a freezing alley with nothing but the tattered clothes on her back. With no identification, no money, and no one willing to help, Monika is forced to start all over. Could losing everything she'd worked for all her life lead her to find what's been missing all along?
Kidnapped from the mall parking lot on Christmas Eve, her life is turned upside down. Now, on Christmas morning, she finds herself in a freezing alley with nothing but the tattered clothes on her back. With no identification, no money, and no one willing to help, Monika is forced to start all over. Could losing everything she'd worked for all her life lead her to find what's been missing all along?
- GenresChristmas
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Cynthia P. Willow
18 books34 followersCynthia grew up in the small town of Lake Butler, Florida. After high school, she started a family and now has 3 children. She currently teaches high school English where is able to share her stories with her students. She loves Jesus and has many stories to share about faith. She resides in Florida with her husband, three children, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 26, 2012
I really enjoyed this Christmas read. The narrating character was engaging and started out working for Ms. Hell--literally, Monika Hell who really gave it to most anyone around. Then the story turned into an unexpected journey and I thought, "This is a kind of Scrooge story," because Ms. Hell certainly was the Scroogiest and in for a rude awakening which I was glad to see coming to her. None of the plot elements followed A Christmas Carol, though.
After a few more turns later and I thought, "it's kind of like 'It's a Wonderful Life,'" except no one had one of those. Main characters included the divorcee, the orphan, and the widower. A lot of rough lives going with nary a do-over for the night in sight.
Some how themes of classic Christmas stories were woven throughout the book which was unlike them all. Still it left me hopeful and feeling a little touched by an angel.
After a few more turns later and I thought, "it's kind of like 'It's a Wonderful Life,'" except no one had one of those. Main characters included the divorcee, the orphan, and the widower. A lot of rough lives going with nary a do-over for the night in sight.
Some how themes of classic Christmas stories were woven throughout the book which was unlike them all. Still it left me hopeful and feeling a little touched by an angel.
December 4, 2012
I really loved this. It was a beautiful story of love and redemption which is perfect not just for Christmas but for anytime. It will leave you with the thought that even the most hard-boiled and crusty individual you meet on the street can be touched by God and made into a softer and kinder person. I think anyone who reads this story can't help but see others in a more compassionate light than before, and for that the author deserves a true salute.
I would recommend this story to anyone who's looking for an inspirational and heartwarming tale. You'll be glad you tried it!
I would recommend this story to anyone who's looking for an inspirational and heartwarming tale. You'll be glad you tried it!
January 1, 2016
SUMMARY: Monika Hell seemed to have it all. She was gorgeous, owned a nice condo, an expensive car, an endless wardrobe, and had a great job as a store manager in the mall. But, she was mean, miserable, and worst of all, hated Christmas.
Kidnapped from the mall parking lot on Christmas Eve, her life is turned upside down. Now, on Christmas morning, she finds herself in a freezing alley with nothing but the tattered clothes on her back. With no identification, no money, and no one willing to help, Monika is forced to start all over. Could losing everything she'd worked for all her life lead her to find what's been missing all along?
REVIEW: First, let me say: don't let the title of this book throw you. The main character's last name happens to be Hell, but it should be Scrooge. This book is a delightful combination of Dickens' Christmas Carol and Debbie Macomber's A Season of Angels. It's a story of Christmas love, redemption, and second chances. Full of wonderful characters, it would be a great book to make into a Hallmark Christmas movie. I loved it from start to finish and was definitely glad I had picked it up as a Kindle freebie.
Kidnapped from the mall parking lot on Christmas Eve, her life is turned upside down. Now, on Christmas morning, she finds herself in a freezing alley with nothing but the tattered clothes on her back. With no identification, no money, and no one willing to help, Monika is forced to start all over. Could losing everything she'd worked for all her life lead her to find what's been missing all along?
REVIEW: First, let me say: don't let the title of this book throw you. The main character's last name happens to be Hell, but it should be Scrooge. This book is a delightful combination of Dickens' Christmas Carol and Debbie Macomber's A Season of Angels. It's a story of Christmas love, redemption, and second chances. Full of wonderful characters, it would be a great book to make into a Hallmark Christmas movie. I loved it from start to finish and was definitely glad I had picked it up as a Kindle freebie.
July 9, 2013
Wow....what a wonderful Christmas in July gift!! This is exactly the sentiment I feel after reading "Hell's Christmas" by talented Author Cynthia P. Willow. It clearly is the gift that keeps on giving all year long.
Mary is one of the likeable main characters who works in Clarkson's Department Store in Cincinnati along with Monika Hell her supervisor, and co-worker, Cortney. The story starts off during the busy Christmas Season with the usual hustle and bustle taking place during that time of the year. Monika Hell is a present day Scrooge/Grinch as she is mean spirited on the best of days but she is especially grumpy on Christmas Eve. When having a smoke break she cannot tolerate the ringing of the Salvation Army bell at the front of the store. She is seldom, if ever, in a happy mood and this bad attitude is even more evident at Christmas time. Monika Hell is definitely beautiful...she is only twenty-seven years old...she is very successful but...she has one 'hell' of an attitude which is about to be mysteriously cleared up!
Mary is the narrator of this delightful, romantic, and captivating novel. She relates not only the activities taking place in her own life but those in Monica's and Cortney's too, as well as several other endearing characters in this book. When Monica inexplicably ends up in an alley in Seattle, there is much to figure out. She is stumped as to how she got there and cannot convince anyone that her story is indeed true. In her efforts to get to the bottom of her situation, Officer Justin Peterson manages to become part of her life, and of course, he has a personal story too.
There are so many unpredictable and endearing twists and turns in this romance novel. It would be impossible to mention them all nor would I want to spoil the thrill for others reading it. Each adds to the pleasure of the reading experience as the main character's stories and unsuspecting purposes unfold. Each of these contribute to the plot in such a way that keeps the reader glued to the page. That would be me...I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely romantic interlude filled with life's simple pleasures. "Hell's Christmas" is absolutely refreshing and appropriate for a wide range of readers....both young and old alike who appreciate the true Christmas spirit all year long!
Inspirational Author & Book Reviewer ~ Dolores Ayotte
Mary is one of the likeable main characters who works in Clarkson's Department Store in Cincinnati along with Monika Hell her supervisor, and co-worker, Cortney. The story starts off during the busy Christmas Season with the usual hustle and bustle taking place during that time of the year. Monika Hell is a present day Scrooge/Grinch as she is mean spirited on the best of days but she is especially grumpy on Christmas Eve. When having a smoke break she cannot tolerate the ringing of the Salvation Army bell at the front of the store. She is seldom, if ever, in a happy mood and this bad attitude is even more evident at Christmas time. Monika Hell is definitely beautiful...she is only twenty-seven years old...she is very successful but...she has one 'hell' of an attitude which is about to be mysteriously cleared up!
Mary is the narrator of this delightful, romantic, and captivating novel. She relates not only the activities taking place in her own life but those in Monica's and Cortney's too, as well as several other endearing characters in this book. When Monica inexplicably ends up in an alley in Seattle, there is much to figure out. She is stumped as to how she got there and cannot convince anyone that her story is indeed true. In her efforts to get to the bottom of her situation, Officer Justin Peterson manages to become part of her life, and of course, he has a personal story too.
There are so many unpredictable and endearing twists and turns in this romance novel. It would be impossible to mention them all nor would I want to spoil the thrill for others reading it. Each adds to the pleasure of the reading experience as the main character's stories and unsuspecting purposes unfold. Each of these contribute to the plot in such a way that keeps the reader glued to the page. That would be me...I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely romantic interlude filled with life's simple pleasures. "Hell's Christmas" is absolutely refreshing and appropriate for a wide range of readers....both young and old alike who appreciate the true Christmas spirit all year long!
Inspirational Author & Book Reviewer ~ Dolores Ayotte
January 2, 2015
DON’T MISS THIS ONE
What a delight to pick up Ms Willow’s books! Well-written, good clean stories, wholesome entertainment with a message.
This story contains a message of hope, of redemption for even the most unlovable people in our lives. Mary, our narrator, works at Clarkson’s Department Store. Her boss, Monika Hell, fits her name to a Tee. She’s an angry, mean-spirited woman who reminds me of Scrooge, making all the Bob Cratchits in her life miserable.
When Monika gets kidnapped on Christmas Eve, by an angel trying to earn his wings, I wasn’t sure where this story was headed, whether it was a new take on the Scrooge story or It’s a Wonderful Life. But the similarities to these traditional tales are few. Ms. Willow takes us through unexpected twists and turns in telling Monika’s story.
Monika wakes up half way across the country with no ID, no money, and nowhere to turn for help. Not even the cops will believe her story, and this woman accustomed to luxuries in her life is forced to accept help from a homeless shelter. Monika’s guardian angel certainly has his work cut out for him in trying to change this hardened heart.
There’s so much more to the story — a cop who wants to believe her story, Terry at the shelter, a blossoming romance, and the happenings back at Clarkson’s, where Mary and her co-worker, Cortney, cover for Monika in her absence.
Pick up a copy of this story - you’ll be glad you did!
What a delight to pick up Ms Willow’s books! Well-written, good clean stories, wholesome entertainment with a message.
This story contains a message of hope, of redemption for even the most unlovable people in our lives. Mary, our narrator, works at Clarkson’s Department Store. Her boss, Monika Hell, fits her name to a Tee. She’s an angry, mean-spirited woman who reminds me of Scrooge, making all the Bob Cratchits in her life miserable.
When Monika gets kidnapped on Christmas Eve, by an angel trying to earn his wings, I wasn’t sure where this story was headed, whether it was a new take on the Scrooge story or It’s a Wonderful Life. But the similarities to these traditional tales are few. Ms. Willow takes us through unexpected twists and turns in telling Monika’s story.
Monika wakes up half way across the country with no ID, no money, and nowhere to turn for help. Not even the cops will believe her story, and this woman accustomed to luxuries in her life is forced to accept help from a homeless shelter. Monika’s guardian angel certainly has his work cut out for him in trying to change this hardened heart.
There’s so much more to the story — a cop who wants to believe her story, Terry at the shelter, a blossoming romance, and the happenings back at Clarkson’s, where Mary and her co-worker, Cortney, cover for Monika in her absence.
Pick up a copy of this story - you’ll be glad you did!
July 13, 2013
I loved this heartwarming book! At first I thought it would be a new version of the classic scrooge story, and I was happily surprised that it wasn't at all! The author's storyline is fresh and original. The characters read authentic and real, with strengths and flaws. Ms. Hell has the biggest flaws of all, but you will definitely grow to love her as her character grows and develops. I personally loved how God and grace were woven into this story in a very real way, the way most of us experience growing in God, a little at a time. This was really well-done. To echo what someone else said, the whole time I was reading I was thinking this could make a great holiday Hallmark movie. If you are touched by romantic, endearing and unpredictable Christmas stories, be sure to pick this up!!
March 27, 2017
I think this would make a great Hallmark movie.
For me, the story moves too quickly through emotions that I think would take more time to develop. It was hard for me to believe if I were in any of their shoes. I had a lot of questions on why they didn't try certain solutions. (But as I generally feel with Hallmark movies, you just go with the story and enjoy the "feel-good" at the end. And I love Hallmark movies. They're easy and light and make you feel good.)
So, if you go into this novel with the expectations of a shorter, easy read, it all works. It's a 'feel-good' book that takes you through angst, stress, and a relieved ending.
I would definitely watch it if it were a Hallmark movie. So, if you're looking for an easy read and a happy ending, read this one.
For me, the story moves too quickly through emotions that I think would take more time to develop. It was hard for me to believe if I were in any of their shoes. I had a lot of questions on why they didn't try certain solutions. (But as I generally feel with Hallmark movies, you just go with the story and enjoy the "feel-good" at the end. And I love Hallmark movies. They're easy and light and make you feel good.)
So, if you go into this novel with the expectations of a shorter, easy read, it all works. It's a 'feel-good' book that takes you through angst, stress, and a relieved ending.
I would definitely watch it if it were a Hallmark movie. So, if you're looking for an easy read and a happy ending, read this one.
June 25, 2016
Amazing Read
What an amazing story...it reminders me of all the thing that God does for us as His children including surrounding us with angles we may never see. Nothing in this life is left to chance and that in itself is amazing.. can't wait to read the next book.. Shannon Wilson
What an amazing story...it reminders me of all the thing that God does for us as His children including surrounding us with angles we may never see. Nothing in this life is left to chance and that in itself is amazing.. can't wait to read the next book.. Shannon Wilson
June 4, 2015
This was a great read. Really enjoyed the story. Didnt want it to end.
August 17, 2013
The action moves along swiftly. Good redemption story, somewhat a stretch on the romantic elements. If you can dispense with a need for realism, this is a fun read.
January 2, 2014
This was a great book. The timing seemed a little off between the two POVs in the beginning, but the story was awesome. Kind of like scrooge meets Its a wonderful life type thing - but better.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews