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The Gift
Julie wants only one gift this holiday season, but it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to make her wish come true.
Julie Hamilton loves Christmas. It’s her favorite time of year, from the cinnamon smell of freshly baked mince-pies to the excitement of buying gifts for family and friends, decorating the tree, and hanging stockings for Santa Claus on the mantelpiece.
This Christmas promises to be extra special because she’s expecting the perfect gift--her first baby--on Christmas Eve.
However, a chance encounter turns her world upside down, and soon, she’s praying for her very own Christmas miracle.
Can the spirit of the Christmas season and the kindness of strangers find a way to make her wish come true?
Julie Hamilton loves Christmas. It’s her favorite time of year, from the cinnamon smell of freshly baked mince-pies to the excitement of buying gifts for family and friends, decorating the tree, and hanging stockings for Santa Claus on the mantelpiece.
This Christmas promises to be extra special because she’s expecting the perfect gift--her first baby--on Christmas Eve.
However, a chance encounter turns her world upside down, and soon, she’s praying for her very own Christmas miracle.
Can the spirit of the Christmas season and the kindness of strangers find a way to make her wish come true?
76 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2014
16 people are currently reading
1376 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
November 16, 2014
I'm sorry but this was not my cup of tea - too simplistic and twee for my taste - bah humbug!
July 29, 2016
I don't usually read straight forward contemporary but this was a well written and heart warming Christmas story. Also had a surprising drama in it too. Well recomended
November 14, 2014
This is a short story which can be read in about an hour. It really lulled me into a false sense of security as I joined Julie and Shane in the run up to Christmas. It was such a festive beginning with the nativity scene and I really started to look forward to spending Christmas with the couple as they waited for the birth of their own Christmas baby. However, I really got a surprise when the story turned quite dark indeed when we meet a third character, one who has had a very hard life indeed and just oozes creepiness. This person is going to turn their lives upside down. I thoroughly enjoyed this read which was at times Christmassy and festive and then tense and dramatic. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the author for the review copy.
December 13, 2015
A short story set around the time of Christmas, although I wouldn't describe it as overly festive, so could be read any time of the year.
It could have done to be longer to help build the tension, especially in my case, as I don't have any children of my own, so that bond of a mother and newborn baby isn't a feeling I know, so I really needed to get to know the characters more in order to connect with them (if it had been about dogs however...)
I would say this is most likely to be enjoyed by mothers and fans of short stories.
It could have done to be longer to help build the tension, especially in my case, as I don't have any children of my own, so that bond of a mother and newborn baby isn't a feeling I know, so I really needed to get to know the characters more in order to connect with them (if it had been about dogs however...)
I would say this is most likely to be enjoyed by mothers and fans of short stories.
November 16, 2014
I wish to thank the author, Joanne Clancy for a copy of her Christmas novella called , "The Gift: A Christmas Miracle".
"Julie wants only one gift this holiday season, but it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to make her wish come true."
Julie Hamilton loves Christmas and all its activities...but most special is that she is expecting her first child, a son on Christmas Eve. (My birthday) The short story stirs up pleasant memories of fresh Christmas baking, special time celebrated with friends and family, shopping and gift-wrapping, decorating the tree, and hanging stockings for Santa Claus on the mantelpiece.
Julie's husband, Shane is a ER doctor at the same hospital where Julie will give birth. Then on December 20th, Shane tells Julie, that for medical reasons, they must induce labour today. And forty- eight hours later, Julie and Shane are the proud parents of a healthy boy, who they named, James Joseph.
It was almost Christmas Eve, and they were ready to go home...until something horrible happened. Their world had been turned upside down, and now they were both praying for "The Gift: A Christmas Miracle." We meet again, Detective George Ellis, from previous novels.
I enjoyed this short story, but felt the ending was a bit rushed and predictable. The wonder of Christmas is a special time for friends and family. It is a magical time where memories are created and sealed away forever.
Merry Christmas to all!
"Julie wants only one gift this holiday season, but it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to make her wish come true."
Julie Hamilton loves Christmas and all its activities...but most special is that she is expecting her first child, a son on Christmas Eve. (My birthday) The short story stirs up pleasant memories of fresh Christmas baking, special time celebrated with friends and family, shopping and gift-wrapping, decorating the tree, and hanging stockings for Santa Claus on the mantelpiece.
Julie's husband, Shane is a ER doctor at the same hospital where Julie will give birth. Then on December 20th, Shane tells Julie, that for medical reasons, they must induce labour today. And forty- eight hours later, Julie and Shane are the proud parents of a healthy boy, who they named, James Joseph.
It was almost Christmas Eve, and they were ready to go home...until something horrible happened. Their world had been turned upside down, and now they were both praying for "The Gift: A Christmas Miracle." We meet again, Detective George Ellis, from previous novels.
I enjoyed this short story, but felt the ending was a bit rushed and predictable. The wonder of Christmas is a special time for friends and family. It is a magical time where memories are created and sealed away forever.
Merry Christmas to all!
November 12, 2014
A wonderful short story.
This one starts with the warm anticipation of a young couple expecting their first baby around Christmas time. They are already imagining their little boy with a tea towel wrapped round his head, waving to them from the stage at his first nativity. He is already a much loved little boy. His pretty nursery is waiting for him to come home from hospital.
Meanwhile tension builds around another character. She had a troubled childhood- is this going to be a happy Christmas for her. What connection does she have to the happy couple?
There is a real sense of a family christmas about this book- they are all looking forward to gathering together for their annual feast and festivities. What could be better than having a new baby to coo over.
The story keeps you reading - hoping that there will be a happy resolution to this story.
It is the first book I've read by this author- and I would like to thank her for a copy of this book to read and review. I will definately be looking out for more to add to my 'tbr' list. I read this in one sitting, curled up out of the cold with a nice cuppa. It's a perfect book to curl up with over Christmas.
This one starts with the warm anticipation of a young couple expecting their first baby around Christmas time. They are already imagining their little boy with a tea towel wrapped round his head, waving to them from the stage at his first nativity. He is already a much loved little boy. His pretty nursery is waiting for him to come home from hospital.
Meanwhile tension builds around another character. She had a troubled childhood- is this going to be a happy Christmas for her. What connection does she have to the happy couple?
There is a real sense of a family christmas about this book- they are all looking forward to gathering together for their annual feast and festivities. What could be better than having a new baby to coo over.
The story keeps you reading - hoping that there will be a happy resolution to this story.
It is the first book I've read by this author- and I would like to thank her for a copy of this book to read and review. I will definately be looking out for more to add to my 'tbr' list. I read this in one sitting, curled up out of the cold with a nice cuppa. It's a perfect book to curl up with over Christmas.
January 3, 2015
I am very glad I was given this ebook in exchange for review from the author. Although predictable, Joanne Clancy's novella was a read that made it impossible to glance away from the pages. Every turn had me feeling a slew of emotions.
Julie, who wants nothing more than to be a mother to her son, is forced into labor when the hospital is worried about her iron levels. Casey, who grew up in a house of alcoholics, recently had a miscarriage and will do anything for a baby boy. Casey makes her way to the hospital to find herself a son and takes the first one she finds. When Julie realizes the mistake she made of giving the nurse her baby, she starts to lose a grip and although her husband searches for any sign of the baby James, will his efforts be in vain?
I wish there was more from the detective's point of view, because I thought the detective might have had a really interesting perspective and more of Casey because I 1) like debating whether the character is truly evil or just misguided and 2) like questioning the moral gray area (although I can't say stealing a newborn from the mother's arms is really a gray area). Rating: 4 stars
Julie, who wants nothing more than to be a mother to her son, is forced into labor when the hospital is worried about her iron levels. Casey, who grew up in a house of alcoholics, recently had a miscarriage and will do anything for a baby boy. Casey makes her way to the hospital to find herself a son and takes the first one she finds. When Julie realizes the mistake she made of giving the nurse her baby, she starts to lose a grip and although her husband searches for any sign of the baby James, will his efforts be in vain?
I wish there was more from the detective's point of view, because I thought the detective might have had a really interesting perspective and more of Casey because I 1) like debating whether the character is truly evil or just misguided and 2) like questioning the moral gray area (although I can't say stealing a newborn from the mother's arms is really a gray area). Rating: 4 stars
February 11, 2015
Just what am I doing reading a Christmas book in February?!
Let me tell you, just because this has a Christmas cover, all nicely bowed up, and a Christmas theme, DO NOT be mistaken this is just about a nice warm glowing tale that surrounds Christmas.
To tell you the truth, I'm not 'into' the soft soapy atmospheres of Christmas time books [don't judge me LOL] its just me I guess, so to read this one thinking that is what its going to be about, nice Christmas puds and mince pies, presents under the tree and all that jazz.........
I was pleasantly surprised to see this wasn't a romance as such and had a gritty tale to it. Emotionally charged for such a short read.
We have women, babies and a miscarriage in this that keeps you well into the book. Yes it can be read in one sitting, and a very touching enthralling read.
Its not just for Christmas, can be read at any time of the year
November 24, 2014
I was gifted a copy of this short novella in return for an honest review.
This Christmas is promising to be extra special for Julia as she is expecting her first child on Christmas Eve. However, a chance encounter turns her world upside down leaving her praying for a miracle.
I don't want to say anymore about the story because it is so short but I absolutely loved it. Every year at Christmastime I seek out some Christmas novels and short stories to give me that warm glow that for me means Christmas. Although I have read some good stories over the years, this is the first one that has made me feel Christmassy. I will be definitely be seeking out more books by this author.
This Christmas is promising to be extra special for Julia as she is expecting her first child on Christmas Eve. However, a chance encounter turns her world upside down leaving her praying for a miracle.
I don't want to say anymore about the story because it is so short but I absolutely loved it. Every year at Christmastime I seek out some Christmas novels and short stories to give me that warm glow that for me means Christmas. Although I have read some good stories over the years, this is the first one that has made me feel Christmassy. I will be definitely be seeking out more books by this author.
December 28, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. I thought this would be a lovely Christmas book to do with gifts and things with families. I was wrong. I found this book to be intriguing as the subject of the storyline could happen to anyone. Not just at Christmas, but any time. It had me glued to my kindle all the way through and loved Joanne Clancy's take on a situation that can and has happened many times in this world.
1st book of Joanne Clancy's I've read and will be reading more of hers as well.
1st book of Joanne Clancy's I've read and will be reading more of hers as well.
December 5, 2014
The Gift: A Christmas Miracle is a wonderful Christmas novella that intertwines the mystery and miracle of the season when two women's worlds collide in a Dublin hospital.
Julie and Shane Hamilton are looking forward to the birth of their first baby due on Christmas Eve, a boy who will be named James Joseph after both of his grandfathers. The pending birth filled them with excitement and joy that they would be spending their first Christmas together as a family.
Casey had a troubled childhood with alcoholic parents in London. She grew up to be a troubled young woman, who married a man twice her age. It was a marriage filled with emotional and mental abuse. She had promised herself that she would never turn to alcohol like her parents, but she did. Last Christmas she suffered a miscarriage that completely broke her heart. Casey leaves London behind to restart her life in Dublin, she has a plan in place to not be alone on Christmas Eve, that plan was to take a newborn baby boy and make him her own.
When Julie has a complication in her pregnancy, her doctor decides to induce her labor on December 20th instead of the Christmas Eve due date. After forty-eight hours in labor, baby James is born on December 22nd. Julie and Shane look forward to taking their son home on December 23rd, but a woman posing as a nurse comes in to Julie's room and under the ruse of taking the baby for blood work, and walks out of the hospital with the newborn. Joy turns to fear for Julie and Shane as the police frantically search for baby James. As Christmas Eve approaches, will the spirit and magic of the holiday season bring the Hamilton's a Christmas miracle and the precious gift of their newborn son back to them?
Author Joanne Clancy weaves an emotional tale set in Dublin that easily draws the reader in as two women's worlds collide due to the birth of a baby boy. This novella spans the time period of five days (December 20 - 25) in which Julie and Shane are gearing up for the pending birth of their first born child, while Casey is putting her plan to kidnap a newborn baby boy into motion. The reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster ride as the joy of baby James' birth suddenly turns into a kidnapping and the ensuing frantic search for him takes place during the most joyful time of the year.
The author weaves an intriguing story told in the third person perspective that alternates between Julie, Casey, and Shane. You can't help but get caught up in the drama and emotion as the story unfolds. The author concludes this touching story with the important message of what the Christmas season is all about: filled with forgiveness, spirit, love, joy, hope and peace.
The Gift: A Christmas Miracle is a beautifully written holiday novella, that is perfect to read during the Christmas season.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Julie and Shane Hamilton are looking forward to the birth of their first baby due on Christmas Eve, a boy who will be named James Joseph after both of his grandfathers. The pending birth filled them with excitement and joy that they would be spending their first Christmas together as a family.
Casey had a troubled childhood with alcoholic parents in London. She grew up to be a troubled young woman, who married a man twice her age. It was a marriage filled with emotional and mental abuse. She had promised herself that she would never turn to alcohol like her parents, but she did. Last Christmas she suffered a miscarriage that completely broke her heart. Casey leaves London behind to restart her life in Dublin, she has a plan in place to not be alone on Christmas Eve, that plan was to take a newborn baby boy and make him her own.
When Julie has a complication in her pregnancy, her doctor decides to induce her labor on December 20th instead of the Christmas Eve due date. After forty-eight hours in labor, baby James is born on December 22nd. Julie and Shane look forward to taking their son home on December 23rd, but a woman posing as a nurse comes in to Julie's room and under the ruse of taking the baby for blood work, and walks out of the hospital with the newborn. Joy turns to fear for Julie and Shane as the police frantically search for baby James. As Christmas Eve approaches, will the spirit and magic of the holiday season bring the Hamilton's a Christmas miracle and the precious gift of their newborn son back to them?
Author Joanne Clancy weaves an emotional tale set in Dublin that easily draws the reader in as two women's worlds collide due to the birth of a baby boy. This novella spans the time period of five days (December 20 - 25) in which Julie and Shane are gearing up for the pending birth of their first born child, while Casey is putting her plan to kidnap a newborn baby boy into motion. The reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster ride as the joy of baby James' birth suddenly turns into a kidnapping and the ensuing frantic search for him takes place during the most joyful time of the year.
The author weaves an intriguing story told in the third person perspective that alternates between Julie, Casey, and Shane. You can't help but get caught up in the drama and emotion as the story unfolds. The author concludes this touching story with the important message of what the Christmas season is all about: filled with forgiveness, spirit, love, joy, hope and peace.
The Gift: A Christmas Miracle is a beautifully written holiday novella, that is perfect to read during the Christmas season.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
January 6, 2015
Originally reviewed for Bookaholic Confessions
Julie is especially looking forward to Christmas this year as she expecting the arrival of her first child (on Christmas Eve no less!) She can’t help herself imagining the joys of spending Christmas with her family and her very own son, certain it’s going to be magical.
As Julie is about to be taken into hospital to be induced due to dangerously low iron levels we then meet Casey. Living alone in London, Casey’s life is very different to that of Julie’s as she follows in the footsteps of her parents and ends up turning to alcohol. After losing her own baby Casey formulates a plan which will unexpectedly bring the two women’s live crashing together and will leave one of them heartbroken…
I was expecting The Gift to be a nice, jolly, warm novella but what I got instead was suspense, drama and tension in abundance. Fear not; there’s also plenty of Christmas to this novel and I love the way that Joanne Clancy combines the heartbreaking storyline with the hopefulness of Christmas as Julie and her husband Shane, turn out to be in great need of a Christmas Miracle this year.
I very quickly became immersed into this novel and felt involved with the characters, perhaps a little too much, as I still really want to know what happened to Casey at the end of the novel. Aside from that I thought it was a brilliant novella and completely different to your usual type of Christmas short story.
You’ll have no trouble identifying with Julie and Shane, even in the short space of time that you get to know them. You’ll find your heart breaking for them both as you hold your breath desperately hoping that they get the miracle that they deserve.
Despite The Gift being a mere 76 pages long, Joanne Clancy captures the tension, emotion and suspense that these characters are subjected to so well.
All in all a hugely enjoyable and fairly unusual take on a Christmas novella. It’s engaging, suspenseful and with an underlying theme of the importance of love and family, not just at Christmas, but all year round. It’s also a brilliant demonstration of both the darker and the lighter side of human nature.
I’m thrilled to have discovered Joanne Clancy. I think it shows real talent when an author can make you care so deeply about their characters in such a short space of time, but I got completely swept up in the story and I can’t wait to get immersed in more of Joanne’s novels…
Julie is especially looking forward to Christmas this year as she expecting the arrival of her first child (on Christmas Eve no less!) She can’t help herself imagining the joys of spending Christmas with her family and her very own son, certain it’s going to be magical.
As Julie is about to be taken into hospital to be induced due to dangerously low iron levels we then meet Casey. Living alone in London, Casey’s life is very different to that of Julie’s as she follows in the footsteps of her parents and ends up turning to alcohol. After losing her own baby Casey formulates a plan which will unexpectedly bring the two women’s live crashing together and will leave one of them heartbroken…
I was expecting The Gift to be a nice, jolly, warm novella but what I got instead was suspense, drama and tension in abundance. Fear not; there’s also plenty of Christmas to this novel and I love the way that Joanne Clancy combines the heartbreaking storyline with the hopefulness of Christmas as Julie and her husband Shane, turn out to be in great need of a Christmas Miracle this year.
I very quickly became immersed into this novel and felt involved with the characters, perhaps a little too much, as I still really want to know what happened to Casey at the end of the novel. Aside from that I thought it was a brilliant novella and completely different to your usual type of Christmas short story.
You’ll have no trouble identifying with Julie and Shane, even in the short space of time that you get to know them. You’ll find your heart breaking for them both as you hold your breath desperately hoping that they get the miracle that they deserve.
Despite The Gift being a mere 76 pages long, Joanne Clancy captures the tension, emotion and suspense that these characters are subjected to so well.
All in all a hugely enjoyable and fairly unusual take on a Christmas novella. It’s engaging, suspenseful and with an underlying theme of the importance of love and family, not just at Christmas, but all year round. It’s also a brilliant demonstration of both the darker and the lighter side of human nature.
I’m thrilled to have discovered Joanne Clancy. I think it shows real talent when an author can make you care so deeply about their characters in such a short space of time, but I got completely swept up in the story and I can’t wait to get immersed in more of Joanne’s novels…
November 19, 2014
The Gift: A Christmas Miracle by Joanne Clancy
This is a very quick read. A 76 page novella. Not much time to develop characters, but enough to feel joy/fear/sorrow/empathy with/for them. Especially if there is any history in your own experiences. Maybe not exactly the same, but there are many things that can cause the same or similar feelings in each of our lives. Even, and especially, for the young girl. I was affected by her story. I believe there are far too many of our youth in situations like hers.
I don't read many short stories or novellas. Novellas are supposed to be longer than short stories but I don't have a clue where the line is drawn. There is so much more to know! I wonder, does it feel like this for others? I just finished a 487 page novel so maybe that's the reason...
The main story is a familiar one but each retelling has enough characteristics of it's own to make it unique. It's definitely one (of the many) parents worst nightmare. A vulnerable setting for sure. I'd not complain if there was more to this story. We didn't get a lot of the detective but I couldn't help wondering about him. Not much to do with the girl now that she's off to prison :/ I was hoping for more with the parents and the girl. After the sermon on forgiveness I thought it would be nice to see the family help her to get healthy again. I know! A lot to ask; it would have been a miracle (to her) that someone actually gave a damn #justsayin
I enjoyed it enough that I will read others by this author to see what more she's got. This is a decent sample but I'll need more to confirm my fan status.
I received an e-book version from the author in exchange for an honest review. I read it ahead of some others because of the holiday theme (Please forgive me TBR). If only reading was all I had to do…*sigh* I would be a much happier person :) Thanks for the opportunity Joanne!
This is a very quick read. A 76 page novella. Not much time to develop characters, but enough to feel joy/fear/sorrow/empathy with/for them. Especially if there is any history in your own experiences. Maybe not exactly the same, but there are many things that can cause the same or similar feelings in each of our lives. Even, and especially, for the young girl. I was affected by her story. I believe there are far too many of our youth in situations like hers.
I don't read many short stories or novellas. Novellas are supposed to be longer than short stories but I don't have a clue where the line is drawn. There is so much more to know! I wonder, does it feel like this for others? I just finished a 487 page novel so maybe that's the reason...
The main story is a familiar one but each retelling has enough characteristics of it's own to make it unique. It's definitely one (of the many) parents worst nightmare. A vulnerable setting for sure. I'd not complain if there was more to this story. We didn't get a lot of the detective but I couldn't help wondering about him. Not much to do with the girl now that she's off to prison :/ I was hoping for more with the parents and the girl. After the sermon on forgiveness I thought it would be nice to see the family help her to get healthy again. I know! A lot to ask; it would have been a miracle (to her) that someone actually gave a damn #justsayin
I enjoyed it enough that I will read others by this author to see what more she's got. This is a decent sample but I'll need more to confirm my fan status.
I received an e-book version from the author in exchange for an honest review. I read it ahead of some others because of the holiday theme (Please forgive me TBR). If only reading was all I had to do…*sigh* I would be a much happier person :) Thanks for the opportunity Joanne!
November 27, 2014
The Gift: A Christmas Miracle is the first book I have read by Joanne Clancy. I rarely read novellas, but picked this one up from Amazon as I have been looking forward to trying this author and was in the mood for a Christmas story.
There are several things I like about The Gift. This little book is very fast-moving. I love the way Ms. Clancy incorporates short chapters, each with a heading regarding date and time. This technique helps keep the pages flying. There is an intriguing prologue set 23 years prior to the main story, and it is interesting to see how that merges with the primary narrative. The novella starts off very jolly as it is Christmas season and the protagonists, Shane and Julie, are expecting the imminent birth of their first child, James. Things are going great until the story takes a dreadful shift as the the person in the prologue becomes part of the present. The suspense is well-maintained until the resolution.
What don't I like? This is not really fair as I am not ordinarily a novella reader, but I would like the whole book to have been more fleshed out. In particular, I would love to have known more about the person in the prologue and what becomes of her as the book is concluding. I must say I do find the ending a bit abrupt in general.
I do think the novella did a good job in depicting the extremes of the experience of Christmas time between the haves and the have nots. It is sobering to think about the realities of this.
Overall, I enjoyed this quick read, but again, the novel reader in me wishes it were longer. I recommend it for anyone looking for a fast-paced feel good/feel bad Christmas novella. I now definitely plan to try Ms. Clancy's full length novels.
There are several things I like about The Gift. This little book is very fast-moving. I love the way Ms. Clancy incorporates short chapters, each with a heading regarding date and time. This technique helps keep the pages flying. There is an intriguing prologue set 23 years prior to the main story, and it is interesting to see how that merges with the primary narrative. The novella starts off very jolly as it is Christmas season and the protagonists, Shane and Julie, are expecting the imminent birth of their first child, James. Things are going great until the story takes a dreadful shift as the the person in the prologue becomes part of the present. The suspense is well-maintained until the resolution.
What don't I like? This is not really fair as I am not ordinarily a novella reader, but I would like the whole book to have been more fleshed out. In particular, I would love to have known more about the person in the prologue and what becomes of her as the book is concluding. I must say I do find the ending a bit abrupt in general.
I do think the novella did a good job in depicting the extremes of the experience of Christmas time between the haves and the have nots. It is sobering to think about the realities of this.
Overall, I enjoyed this quick read, but again, the novel reader in me wishes it were longer. I recommend it for anyone looking for a fast-paced feel good/feel bad Christmas novella. I now definitely plan to try Ms. Clancy's full length novels.
December 1, 2014
As a general rule I prefer novels to novellas, simply because there’s more opportunity to develop the characters and develop a story. I needn’t have worried here though as Joanne Clancy has managed to pack all the emotion of a full length novel into a quick coffee break read. My heart was literally beating faster as I turned the pages to find out the ending. It’s a little different from the usual Christmas offerings and for that reason it also appealed to me. Joanne has managed to achieve in just a few pages what some novelists do in 260. A great read and a heartwarming story. Put it on your Christmas list!
December 19, 2015
I received this book from the author and thought it a very nice, fast read for this time of year. I am a fan of Joanne Clancy, this is my 3rd read of her books.
Due to the shortness of the book a lot of detail about the loss of the lovely young couple's baby had to be condensed but you feel their pain during the time young James Joseph was missing. I think it could have been part of a longer novel but was a good read at its short length.
Due to the shortness of the book a lot of detail about the loss of the lovely young couple's baby had to be condensed but you feel their pain during the time young James Joseph was missing. I think it could have been part of a longer novel but was a good read at its short length.
December 18, 2016
Wow! Can you imagine giving birth to your brand new son and a "nurse" kidnaps him from the hospital? Ms. Clancy's awesome use of imagery exposes the depths of despair that new mom Julie experiences, as you the reader wipe the tears from your eyes. I had to remind myself to breathe. In just a moment, Christmas transitioned from joyous to deep sadness creating so many unanswered questions. Is the baby okay? Is he still alive? For Julie and Shane will Christmas ever be merry again?
December 6, 2014
Wow for such a short book it packs a punch! This book kept me gripped from the start I felt everything Julie did. This will be an emotional story for every mother out there but with a happy ending, I highly recommend you pick this up.
November 22, 2015
I got this as a free e-book from the author. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story. It was a short story e-book. I hope to read the bigger novels by this author in the future,for sure.
December 2, 2018
First book I've read from this author. A lovely short story. It's well written and perfect to read during the holiday.
November 18, 2014
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Approaching this book, I am expecting a "feel good" warm hearted Christmas themed tale. I am looking forward to learning what the great Christmas Miracle will be.
MY REVIEW
I received this one from Amazon courtesy of the author, in exchange for my honest review.
The cover fits the title quite well in that it looks like a Christmas gift wrapped up.
Would the cover make me pick this one up from a bookstore shelf? If I was looking for a short Christmas themed book, it would yes. Its bright redness on the cover would certainly draw your eye to it.
So there are two main female characters, Julie who is happily married, pregnant, full of Christmas plans and spending the season with her family. She is then told she has to go into hospital to be induced due to a blood test result showing problems.
The other female is a lonely troubled woman, who didn't have the best childhood, as she had two alcoholic parents. She also had an alcohol problem/habit herself. This female is planning for a birth too, she obtains a blank birth certificate. This female has been spending time watching routines at the hospital, and she steals a baby. The reason given for stealing the baby is that she herself was pregnant, and had attended an ultrasound where she was told her baby had died.
I won't say much more about the specifics as that would give away too much. I feel like I have told more of the plot than I would like to already.
This one is a really hard one for me to review, as I don't want to come over biased or too negative. However I really hate the rather predictable cliché of a woman who has had a miscarriage stealing another woman's baby. A woman who has a miscarriage wants their own baby back, not to replace that child with someone else's. As for the description of how the woman was told her child was dead, yes things like that can happen. I would have preferred to know more of her story, leading up to and including the moment she was told the devastating news. The "troubled woman" and her character seemed to be too quickly skimmed over. The novella felt a bit rushed really, this was a decent read but could have been so much more.
As a member of the Miscarriage Association, and of having had been told my baby had died when I had a routine ultrasound I felt disappointed. I wanted the author to have done more research. I wanted to read more of the "troubled woman's" story than that of the perfect Julie and her perfect family. To be truthful the whole idea of a woman who miscarries goes out and steals someone else's baby is one of my pet peeves. It's something myself and my fellow members of the M.A. have discussed, and agreed, that what you want when you have miscarried is your own baby back and that stealing someone else's would be the last thing you would think of. Why would you want someone else to feel such a tragic loss, by you taking their precious child?
The writing style does keep you reading, the pace could have done to have slowed a little, and the plot could have been stretched out more. I felt the author could have explored the whole concept of feeling, grief etc of the "troubled woman's" miscarriage more. Why she thought stealing someone else's baby was the thing to go do. Or if she didn't wish to explore that highly emotional part of the experience within her book, there maybe could have had more details on the police investigation of the stolen child or the Police search.
So did I enjoy this novella? It was alright, I just felt it had more potential to be much better.
Would I recommend the novella? It's not the first novella I would jump to if asked to recommend a Christmassey read, but it's a good novella to read in a short time. A decent quick read. I did actually read it within one sitting and I have featured it on my "Seasonal Reads" page.
Would I want to read more about the characters in this novella? I would have liked to have known more about the "troubled woman" perhaps had her meet the mother of the baby she stole. I just felt the full potential of this story were not explored.
Would I want to read more books/novellas by this author? Having said all of the above, yes I would still look at other books/novellas by this author.
July 1, 2015
When I started to read this book I really didn’t know what to expect and after reading it I can honestly say that it was not at all like I had thought it would be. I was anticipating something simply heartwarming or romantic or something along those lines. I did not expect the dark twist, which I absolutely loved. Once I started reading the book I didn't want to stop until I was done. That is always a good sign. At times I was a little confused with who certain characters were but it was nothing that changed my opinion of the book or the story. If there is anything “negative” for me to say it would be that I wish it was longer! I got so into the story that I would have loved for it to have more time for character development and to be a full-length story and not just a short story.
Joanne Clancy did an amazing job of alluding to a person's mental state and feeling without being wordy. She was able to capture things like that perfectly without saying much. She used great writing techniques to portray a person’s feelings and emotions. She used similes several times and in the perfect manner and I feel like that just added so much to the story in terms of getting a character’s raw emotions to really come through. Clancy was also very good at setting the atmosphere through imagery that really appealed to the reader’s physical senses.
Overall I think it was a great story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Like I said, my only real complaint would have to be that I wish the story was longer and that I had gotten to know the character’s better. I would have loved to know more back-story and have a longer story to read. I can honestly say though that I enjoyed it enough where I didn't want it to end and I wanted to know more about the characters and read more. So overall it was a story well done.
Joanne Clancy did an amazing job of alluding to a person's mental state and feeling without being wordy. She was able to capture things like that perfectly without saying much. She used great writing techniques to portray a person’s feelings and emotions. She used similes several times and in the perfect manner and I feel like that just added so much to the story in terms of getting a character’s raw emotions to really come through. Clancy was also very good at setting the atmosphere through imagery that really appealed to the reader’s physical senses.
Overall I think it was a great story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Like I said, my only real complaint would have to be that I wish the story was longer and that I had gotten to know the character’s better. I would have loved to know more back-story and have a longer story to read. I can honestly say though that I enjoyed it enough where I didn't want it to end and I wanted to know more about the characters and read more. So overall it was a story well done.
November 13, 2014
Julie Hamilton and her husband, Shane an ER doctor, are expecting their first baby on Christmas Eve. She knows it’s a boy too. As she has always loved everything about Christmas, Julie is absolutely thrilled.
On December 22nd, Shane arrives home early to tell her that her gynecologist called to tell him that her latest blood work showed her iron was dangerously low and she needed to go to the hospital right away and to induce her labor early. After several lengthy procedures to get her labor started, she finally enters the last phase and safely delivers a son whom they name James Joseph.
Soon Julie is recovering, snuggling and nursing James Joseph as they prepare to be released from the hospital.
In the meantime, a woman dressed in a nurse’s uniform enters the hospital and brazenly heads to the nursery where she simply bypasses the busy nurses. Knowing she wants to steal a baby boy, she enters Julie’s room chatting with each of the mothers. She confidently approaches Julie telling her that she needs to take James Joseph with her to have some blood work done. Since he has just been checked the day before, Julie is surprised but reluctantly hands James Joseph over to her.
When time passes and her son is not returned to her, panic sets in and it is found that James Joseph is missing! The shock and fear that Julie and Shane experience is horrendous. Why did this woman take the baby? Will the police be able to find James Joseph and return him to his loving parents whose hearts are broken.
This is a story about a true Christmas miracle. Reading how the story unfolds and the tension builds when James Joseph goes missing is probably every parent’s worst nightmare.
On December 22nd, Shane arrives home early to tell her that her gynecologist called to tell him that her latest blood work showed her iron was dangerously low and she needed to go to the hospital right away and to induce her labor early. After several lengthy procedures to get her labor started, she finally enters the last phase and safely delivers a son whom they name James Joseph.
Soon Julie is recovering, snuggling and nursing James Joseph as they prepare to be released from the hospital.
In the meantime, a woman dressed in a nurse’s uniform enters the hospital and brazenly heads to the nursery where she simply bypasses the busy nurses. Knowing she wants to steal a baby boy, she enters Julie’s room chatting with each of the mothers. She confidently approaches Julie telling her that she needs to take James Joseph with her to have some blood work done. Since he has just been checked the day before, Julie is surprised but reluctantly hands James Joseph over to her.
When time passes and her son is not returned to her, panic sets in and it is found that James Joseph is missing! The shock and fear that Julie and Shane experience is horrendous. Why did this woman take the baby? Will the police be able to find James Joseph and return him to his loving parents whose hearts are broken.
This is a story about a true Christmas miracle. Reading how the story unfolds and the tension builds when James Joseph goes missing is probably every parent’s worst nightmare.
November 20, 2014
A gift and a real treat of a read.
Joanne Clancy very kindly sent me a copy of this to review. I really enjoyed it. I was all prepared for the sweet and gentle read and it really took me by surprise. At the opening, the character is telling of having not much love and stability in the family. She seems quite neglected, no pretty dresses for her etc. Her parents were alcoholics and there were streams of arguments. What at first seems a pretty pretty, cosy Xmas tale has enormous depth. It pulls the reader right in-you really feel for the character and are compelled to read more. Joanne Clancy then captures the essence of Christmas in these few words. Foods mentioned, a yummy sentence. Very well observed, I can remember all these sorts of things at my son's nativities when he was at infant's school. It all sounds so lovely, just like Christmases should be. Patting her stomach, it seems she is pregnant? Happiness surges through the story. But then, oh dear, this looks darker than I thought-it's not all what you think. Some of this language is American-eg. elevator, ER-this was really getting me thinking. Great short chapters but still a lot of points made in them. Good tension created here. Good pace, not too brief. Held my attention really well, this was really good! Joanne Clancy expertly captures how the characters are feeling in this situation and totally involves the reader in those emotions. A great shorter story. (I'm going to call it a shorter story-it's not as brief as some of this genre, not really a short story) Plenty of action yet not feeling rushed at all. This was really good with some charming moments and some tense moments and twists too. A real treat.
Joanne Clancy very kindly sent me a copy of this to review. I really enjoyed it. I was all prepared for the sweet and gentle read and it really took me by surprise. At the opening, the character is telling of having not much love and stability in the family. She seems quite neglected, no pretty dresses for her etc. Her parents were alcoholics and there were streams of arguments. What at first seems a pretty pretty, cosy Xmas tale has enormous depth. It pulls the reader right in-you really feel for the character and are compelled to read more. Joanne Clancy then captures the essence of Christmas in these few words. Foods mentioned, a yummy sentence. Very well observed, I can remember all these sorts of things at my son's nativities when he was at infant's school. It all sounds so lovely, just like Christmases should be. Patting her stomach, it seems she is pregnant? Happiness surges through the story. But then, oh dear, this looks darker than I thought-it's not all what you think. Some of this language is American-eg. elevator, ER-this was really getting me thinking. Great short chapters but still a lot of points made in them. Good tension created here. Good pace, not too brief. Held my attention really well, this was really good! Joanne Clancy expertly captures how the characters are feeling in this situation and totally involves the reader in those emotions. A great shorter story. (I'm going to call it a shorter story-it's not as brief as some of this genre, not really a short story) Plenty of action yet not feeling rushed at all. This was really good with some charming moments and some tense moments and twists too. A real treat.
November 25, 2014
I'm going to start of by saying wow, it's only a novella but it's is so packed with emotion. A few times I couldn't stop myself from tearing up at Julie's pleasure of being pregnant to her pleas for her son to come home and finally of having her little Christmas miracle back home and safe with his family and in time for Christmas day.
Julie is expecting her first baby with her husband Shane, at Christmas time but she has to be induced early as her iron count is dangerously low. After having her baby boy James the worse thing imaginable happens, a woman poses as a nurse and steals her baby from the hospital.
this author captures the emotions brilliantly, I felt so horrible for Julie and was praying along side her and her family for baby James to come home safely.
Casey the girl who stole him had a very bad start in life and is not mentally stable, but it's still not acceptable what she did.
what I liked about the story even though it wasnt a pleasant plot was that we saw Casey take baby James to her home and that's it, we was sitting ducks like the parents waiting, hoping that that baby James is ok and will be home as soon as.
When the detective gets a call from someone who knows where Casey and James are, your heart is beating, hoping she hasn't hurt him and he's alive and as soon as we know he is, you let that breath go that you didn't realise you was holding in for so long.
despite the horrible circumstances the Christmas ending was perfect, warm and loving how Christmas should be with the family around.
I will be looking at more books from this author as this is first book I've read from her.
Julie is expecting her first baby with her husband Shane, at Christmas time but she has to be induced early as her iron count is dangerously low. After having her baby boy James the worse thing imaginable happens, a woman poses as a nurse and steals her baby from the hospital.
this author captures the emotions brilliantly, I felt so horrible for Julie and was praying along side her and her family for baby James to come home safely.
Casey the girl who stole him had a very bad start in life and is not mentally stable, but it's still not acceptable what she did.
what I liked about the story even though it wasnt a pleasant plot was that we saw Casey take baby James to her home and that's it, we was sitting ducks like the parents waiting, hoping that that baby James is ok and will be home as soon as.
When the detective gets a call from someone who knows where Casey and James are, your heart is beating, hoping she hasn't hurt him and he's alive and as soon as we know he is, you let that breath go that you didn't realise you was holding in for so long.
despite the horrible circumstances the Christmas ending was perfect, warm and loving how Christmas should be with the family around.
I will be looking at more books from this author as this is first book I've read from her.
November 3, 2014
I always get excited to read a) the latest release from one of my favourite authors and b) anything to do with Christmas so I could not wait to start reading it. This book also had the added bonus of being about a baby being born at Christmas time so what could be more fitting than that for a Christmas tale and I was sold on it right from the off. If anything ever happens to a child in a story then that is bad enough but to have a Christmas crisis take place, which involves a newborn infant is even more distressing when it happens at Christmas since this is supposed to be a peaceful happy occasion. I was really rooting for Julie’s baby all the way, as she prays for a Christmas miracle. The short intriguing chapters were making this novella fly by and it felt reassuring to know Detective George Ellis was on the case since you know that he will not rest until he finds out what went down and how he can solve the crime. I simply had to see what happens in the end so I could not put it down and before you know it, you have finished it but with feelings of a heart-warming sentiment about the true meaning of Christmas coming to fruition. Joanne Clancy books always live up to my expectations whenever it comes to emotionally gripping and entertaining stories that make you want to read more and more of this genre, so I cannot wait for her next book to add to the top of my Kindle reading list. Highly recommended to those wanting something that might make you appreciate what you have this Christmas.
November 18, 2014
I was very kindly gifted a copy of The Gift: A Christmas Miracle to read and review.
I’m not often a fan of short stories, they always seem to fall flat on their face and leave you wondering why you wasted your time when you could have just started a good full length novel. But after seeing some reviews for this I thought that maybe it would be good enough to make me gain belief that some good shorts do exist. This wonderful book was indeed a miracle. I honestly loved it. It always had just the right amount of description to set the scene and you could practically smell the mince pies and snow and feel the emotions pouring from the characters as you read along to the story. Although it’s a happy story for the couple, Julia and Shane, as they await the birth of their first child it does also have a sad underlying theme in the form of a third character, Clancy as she struggles to overcome the circumstances of her own life.
Being November this was the perfect time to read this as it’s completely Christmas orientated. It was a great read and the perfect length to sit down and have a cup of tea and forget about the world for an hour. Although it could have easily of been turned into a full length novel this doesn’t leave you feeling at all cheated by the end. This book gets you completely in the Christmas mood and leaves you with a warm contented feeling by the end. I urge everyone to give this great read a go. Thank you so much to Joanne Clancy for letting me have a copy and for restoring my belief in short stories.
I’m not often a fan of short stories, they always seem to fall flat on their face and leave you wondering why you wasted your time when you could have just started a good full length novel. But after seeing some reviews for this I thought that maybe it would be good enough to make me gain belief that some good shorts do exist. This wonderful book was indeed a miracle. I honestly loved it. It always had just the right amount of description to set the scene and you could practically smell the mince pies and snow and feel the emotions pouring from the characters as you read along to the story. Although it’s a happy story for the couple, Julia and Shane, as they await the birth of their first child it does also have a sad underlying theme in the form of a third character, Clancy as she struggles to overcome the circumstances of her own life.
Being November this was the perfect time to read this as it’s completely Christmas orientated. It was a great read and the perfect length to sit down and have a cup of tea and forget about the world for an hour. Although it could have easily of been turned into a full length novel this doesn’t leave you feeling at all cheated by the end. This book gets you completely in the Christmas mood and leaves you with a warm contented feeling by the end. I urge everyone to give this great read a go. Thank you so much to Joanne Clancy for letting me have a copy and for restoring my belief in short stories.
November 13, 2014
Absolutely brilliant!!! Wow wow wow
This short story is fantastic, heartbreaking and sheer joy.
Julia and her husband Shane are expecting their first baby, a boy on Christmas Eve. Julia receives news that the hospital are going to induce labour due to Julia having dangerous low iron.
She has a bad labour, 48 hours.
There is another woman in London who has had a hard life and grew up with parents who are alcoholics. After losing her own baby she moves to Ireland for a brand new life, to start again. Ireland is were Julia and Casey's world collide.
Although this is a short story the author captures the true emotion of a tragedy. I pictured myself in that situation and it brought tears to my eyes.
The way husband and wife cling to each other and not place blame, the way family help out and stand by each other is very touching. This really is a 'Christmas Miracle' and the author plays on your emotions.
Each chapter shows the date and time that make you feel you are suffering right alongside the characters.
It is written so very well that it felt like I was reading a film but only better because I can read about their emotions, fears and guilt and pain.
Fantastic work, I only wish it was longer, but other then great story, easy to read and a wonderful book.
This is the first time I have read this author and she has other books out that I will definitely be reading.
Recommended for a Christmas book and I can't wait to read what other stories by this author.
This short story is fantastic, heartbreaking and sheer joy.
Julia and her husband Shane are expecting their first baby, a boy on Christmas Eve. Julia receives news that the hospital are going to induce labour due to Julia having dangerous low iron.
She has a bad labour, 48 hours.
There is another woman in London who has had a hard life and grew up with parents who are alcoholics. After losing her own baby she moves to Ireland for a brand new life, to start again. Ireland is were Julia and Casey's world collide.
Although this is a short story the author captures the true emotion of a tragedy. I pictured myself in that situation and it brought tears to my eyes.
The way husband and wife cling to each other and not place blame, the way family help out and stand by each other is very touching. This really is a 'Christmas Miracle' and the author plays on your emotions.
Each chapter shows the date and time that make you feel you are suffering right alongside the characters.
It is written so very well that it felt like I was reading a film but only better because I can read about their emotions, fears and guilt and pain.
Fantastic work, I only wish it was longer, but other then great story, easy to read and a wonderful book.
This is the first time I have read this author and she has other books out that I will definitely be reading.
Recommended for a Christmas book and I can't wait to read what other stories by this author.
January 2, 2015
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
When I started reading this story I had some different expectations. I was expecting romance and festive mood but got so much more, a thriller. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The story centers around Julie who is going to be a mother just before Christmas. Is there more amazing gift for Christmas? Her baby boy joins this world so perfect. She even can't stop staring at him all the time. But in the very same time another woman has different plans. After having a miscarriage and suffering a nervous breakdown, all she wants is to be a mother. And she desperately needs a baby. A son. She makes her plans very carefully, gets a false birth certificate, dresses like a nurse and gets to the hospital. There is only one baby boy in the room, Julie's son. What happens next is the mother's worst nightmare. I can't even imagine what is like. A baby is being kidnapped and no one saw anything, no one knows anything. What is going to happen to Julie's son? Where is he? Is he safe? Will she ever see him again and hold him again?
I have only one complaint about this story, too short. It is very well written and has amazing subject for a plot and that's why it deserves many more pages. It is nail-biting story and I wanted to enjoy more. But it is Christmas and it's time for the family so short reads are perfect for avid readers. Everyone's happy. :) But after Christmas, I'll be in search of other books written by this author.
My opinion: 4 / 5.
When I started reading this story I had some different expectations. I was expecting romance and festive mood but got so much more, a thriller. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The story centers around Julie who is going to be a mother just before Christmas. Is there more amazing gift for Christmas? Her baby boy joins this world so perfect. She even can't stop staring at him all the time. But in the very same time another woman has different plans. After having a miscarriage and suffering a nervous breakdown, all she wants is to be a mother. And she desperately needs a baby. A son. She makes her plans very carefully, gets a false birth certificate, dresses like a nurse and gets to the hospital. There is only one baby boy in the room, Julie's son. What happens next is the mother's worst nightmare. I can't even imagine what is like. A baby is being kidnapped and no one saw anything, no one knows anything. What is going to happen to Julie's son? Where is he? Is he safe? Will she ever see him again and hold him again?
I have only one complaint about this story, too short. It is very well written and has amazing subject for a plot and that's why it deserves many more pages. It is nail-biting story and I wanted to enjoy more. But it is Christmas and it's time for the family so short reads are perfect for avid readers. Everyone's happy. :) But after Christmas, I'll be in search of other books written by this author.
My opinion: 4 / 5.
December 7, 2014
Julie has always loved Christmas and all of the things that come with it. She loves trimming the tree, and holiday meals, and getting together with her family. This Christmas promises to be extra special as she is due with her first and much-anticipated child. When something unthinkable happens after the birth of her baby Julie is faced with her worst nightmare. Suddenly the only thing that she wants for Christmas is the thing that seems the least likely to happen.
This is the first thing that I have read by Joanne Clancy and I really enjoyed it. The novella was fast-paced and it had me at the edge of my seat! I loved the picture that she painted of a family getting ready for Christmas and all that comes with it. Those scenes were very well-done and remain vivid in my mind. The plot was one that we don't read about all of the time, so that was interesting as well.
My one criticism (and one that I often have about novellas) is that I wanted more. There was such an interesting back story present in the novella and it floated just beneath the surface. I definitely think that this story could have worked as a full-length novel as well as there were so many interesting angles to it!
The Gift certainly intrigued me and made me think about Christmas in an entirely different way. While it wasn't what I was expecting at first I found myself drawn in by it and I can recommend it as an interesting read both before and after the holidays. My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for review.
This is the first thing that I have read by Joanne Clancy and I really enjoyed it. The novella was fast-paced and it had me at the edge of my seat! I loved the picture that she painted of a family getting ready for Christmas and all that comes with it. Those scenes were very well-done and remain vivid in my mind. The plot was one that we don't read about all of the time, so that was interesting as well.
My one criticism (and one that I often have about novellas) is that I wanted more. There was such an interesting back story present in the novella and it floated just beneath the surface. I definitely think that this story could have worked as a full-length novel as well as there were so many interesting angles to it!
The Gift certainly intrigued me and made me think about Christmas in an entirely different way. While it wasn't what I was expecting at first I found myself drawn in by it and I can recommend it as an interesting read both before and after the holidays. My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for review.
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