What do you think?
Rate this book
A Sandy's Seashell Shop Christmas
A Christmas novella set on the Outer Banks. A story of love, loss and finding oneself again. The story of a young military widow and her son finding themselves again after the loss of their husband and father. The proceeds of this book go to Operation Military Kids. A charity that helps military children while their parents are deployed.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
276 people are currently reading
2139 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Wingate
57 books13.4k followersLisa Wingate is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Before We Were Yours, which remained on the bestseller list for over two years. Her award-winning works have been selected for state and community One Book reads, have been published in over forty languages, and have appeared on bestseller lists worldwide. The group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa and six others as recipients of the National Civics Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. She lives in Texas and Colorado with her family and her deceptively cute little teddy bear of a dog, Huckleberry. Find her at www.lisawingate.com, on Facebook at LisaWingateAuthorPage, or on Instagram @author_lisa_wingate
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
December 4, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
What an amazing little story! From morose to hope to joy in only five short chapters, this book has a little bit of everything. Most brief stories aren't deep, but Lisa Wingate knows how to deliver depth in a single sentence, so making it count in fewer than forty pages apparently was no trouble at all. This is a Christmas tale I'll be revisiting many times in future holiday seasons. I highly recommend this family treat.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
What an amazing little story! From morose to hope to joy in only five short chapters, this book has a little bit of everything. Most brief stories aren't deep, but Lisa Wingate knows how to deliver depth in a single sentence, so making it count in fewer than forty pages apparently was no trouble at all. This is a Christmas tale I'll be revisiting many times in future holiday seasons. I highly recommend this family treat.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
November 9, 2020
Sweet Christmastime novella that touched my heart.
December 11, 2015
A young widow with a little son has been struggling to get over the death of her husband in Afghanistan. Every year she goes away around Christmas with her boy so that she doesn't have to celebrate the festivity that reminds her of how her husband arrived home at Christmas in a coffin. But this year everything will change...
I found this short story absolutely wonderful and sometimes really sad to read. There is just something with this story that touches my heart. I only wished it had been a book and not a short story. Not that it didn't work as a short story, it's more that I found the character so lovely and I wanted to read more about them.
The story is free now on Amazon!
I found this short story absolutely wonderful and sometimes really sad to read. There is just something with this story that touches my heart. I only wished it had been a book and not a short story. Not that it didn't work as a short story, it's more that I found the character so lovely and I wanted to read more about them.
The story is free now on Amazon!
August 2, 2015
SUMMARY: A magical place, an island Christmas eve, a broken family in need of healing….
For young military widow, Tiff Riley, Christmas isn't just another day. It's the worst of all days. Hiding out on Hatteras Island with three-and-a-half-year-old Micah, she's desperate to once again ignore the anniversary of tragedy. The winter-season quiet of North Carolina's Outer Banks is the perfect place to escape. It never feels like Christmas at the beach.
But in tiny Hatteras Village, the crew at Sandy's Seashell Shop is determined to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. Is it possible for a magical Christmas Eve at the Seashell Shop to help mend one damaged life? On a night of miracles, in a place of miracles, can a young widow's heart be reopened to joy, hope… and even love?
Proceeds from the sale of this E-short will help fund a donation to Operation Military Kids, which serves children whose parents are deployed. E-short length: 40 pages
REVIEW: This short, very quick read will bring tears to your eyes, smiles to your lips, and hope in your heart. In a vein similar to O'Henry's The Gift of the Magi, its sweetness and tenderness will fill your soul. It is a poignant tale of love lost and love found. I definitely will read it again come Christmas time as it is one that you can read over and over and still feel it's sweet message. This novella is part of Wingate's Outer Banks series which I look forward to reading.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Maybe every piece of joy we find, I think, maybe it's Aarons joy, too. maybe that's the best gift we can give him, now. Our joy."
"But life is still here. It's sleeping right beside me. It's represented there in the manger. It's here for the taking, but I have to make the choice. I close my eyes and choose life."
"To really live, you have to accept reality."
For young military widow, Tiff Riley, Christmas isn't just another day. It's the worst of all days. Hiding out on Hatteras Island with three-and-a-half-year-old Micah, she's desperate to once again ignore the anniversary of tragedy. The winter-season quiet of North Carolina's Outer Banks is the perfect place to escape. It never feels like Christmas at the beach.
But in tiny Hatteras Village, the crew at Sandy's Seashell Shop is determined to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. Is it possible for a magical Christmas Eve at the Seashell Shop to help mend one damaged life? On a night of miracles, in a place of miracles, can a young widow's heart be reopened to joy, hope… and even love?
Proceeds from the sale of this E-short will help fund a donation to Operation Military Kids, which serves children whose parents are deployed. E-short length: 40 pages
REVIEW: This short, very quick read will bring tears to your eyes, smiles to your lips, and hope in your heart. In a vein similar to O'Henry's The Gift of the Magi, its sweetness and tenderness will fill your soul. It is a poignant tale of love lost and love found. I definitely will read it again come Christmas time as it is one that you can read over and over and still feel it's sweet message. This novella is part of Wingate's Outer Banks series which I look forward to reading.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Maybe every piece of joy we find, I think, maybe it's Aarons joy, too. maybe that's the best gift we can give him, now. Our joy."
"But life is still here. It's sleeping right beside me. It's represented there in the manger. It's here for the taking, but I have to make the choice. I close my eyes and choose life."
"To really live, you have to accept reality."
November 16, 2022
My fifth Christmas book for the season is A Sandy's Seashell Shop Christmas.
I'm more convinced than ever I don't like novellas. This story is very good, but soooooo short that it was frustrating. Because of how well it was written and how captivating the story was, I'm offering the best I can, which is four stars.
Tiff is a widow with a 3 year-old boy. She avoids Christmas because her husband, Aaron, was shipped home from Afghanistan at Christmas. She goes to Outer Banks to escape the holiday with her son Micah.
This year she faces what she's been dreading... moving on.
Her son Micah made the whole book! So cute he actually made me laugh out loud.
Meh for the shortness, but a huge plus for the writing!
I'm more convinced than ever I don't like novellas. This story is very good, but soooooo short that it was frustrating. Because of how well it was written and how captivating the story was, I'm offering the best I can, which is four stars.
Tiff is a widow with a 3 year-old boy. She avoids Christmas because her husband, Aaron, was shipped home from Afghanistan at Christmas. She goes to Outer Banks to escape the holiday with her son Micah.
This year she faces what she's been dreading... moving on.
Her son Micah made the whole book! So cute he actually made me laugh out loud.
Meh for the shortness, but a huge plus for the writing!
April 11, 2017
A wonderful, well executed novella. Great set up for the other novels and novellas. Makes you want to know what happens next. I love Lisa's writing style!
November 30, 2018
This was a sweet, short read, focused on an Army widow learning to live and love again after her husband's death. Little Micah was spot-on and just absolutely adorable, and I loved the informal, slapped-together, brimming-with-love celebration at the seashell shop and the focus on the true meaning of Christmas hope.
Content--a widow sometimes feels like her husband is next to her/watching her; mentions of sometimes wanting to let life go and join her husband; "magic" used figuratively
Content--a widow sometimes feels like her husband is next to her/watching her; mentions of sometimes wanting to let life go and join her husband; "magic" used figuratively
December 30, 2014
I enjoyed this short Christmas novella by Lisa Wingate. It's a sweet story about a woman whose husband has died while deployed and she struggles with Christmas. Every year she takes her son to the beach to get away from Christmas. This year a flyer on the beach points her to a Christmas Eve party at Sandy's Seashell Shop where she'll encounter a miracle and begin to feel life and hope again.
January 1, 2018
4.5 stars
Books written in present tense can be really hard for me to get into, but this one was very well-written, and I didn't have as much trouble adjusting as usual. The story itself is so very sweet and packed full of good Christmas spirit—a Christmas on the North Carolina beach, with a widow and her small son. Definitely recommended.
Books written in present tense can be really hard for me to get into, but this one was very well-written, and I didn't have as much trouble adjusting as usual. The story itself is so very sweet and packed full of good Christmas spirit—a Christmas on the North Carolina beach, with a widow and her small son. Definitely recommended.
November 30, 2015
This was really good. While first person, present tense is my least favorite narration, I still enjoyed the story. It has a good, strong message. Unlike so many of the Christmas stories that mention God, this one really lived it out. I loved the characters and wished their was more to the story.
December 16, 2018
This is an E (for electronic?) Short i.e. 40
Page story.
I have loved all the other books Lisa has written and she writes a compelling tale here that touches your heart.
Normally I do not like this length of story but
She aced it !
Page story.
I have loved all the other books Lisa has written and she writes a compelling tale here that touches your heart.
Normally I do not like this length of story but
She aced it !
December 6, 2014
Title: A SANDY’S SEASHELL SHOP CHRISTMAS
Author: Lisa Wingate
Publisher: Scribe Light Media
December 2014
ASIN: B00Q8N1I7M
Genre: Christmas Novella / contemporary / Women’s fiction
A magical place, an island Christmas eve, a broken family in need of healing….
For young military widow, Tiff Riley, Christmas isn't just another day. It's the worst of all days. Hiding out on Hatteras Island with three-and-a-half-year-old Micah, she's desperate to once again ignore the anniversary of tragedy. The winter-season quiet of North Carolina's Outer Banks is the perfect place to escape. It never feels like Christmas at the beach.
But in tiny Hatteras Village, the crew at Sandy's Seashell Shop is determined to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. Is it possible for a magical Christmas Eve at the Seashell Shop to help mend one damaged life? On a night of miracles, in a place of miracles, can a young widow's heart be reopened to joy, hope… and even love?
My thoughts: A SANDY’S SEASHELL SHOP CHRISTMAS is a sweet story that had my heart breaking for Tiff, swelling with love for her sweet little son, Micah, and leaves us with hope for this struggling dual. A story of healing and hope. Highly recommended.
Proceeds from the sale of this E-short will help fund a donation to Operation Military Kids, which serves children whose parents are deployed. E-short length: 40 pages
Author: Lisa Wingate
Publisher: Scribe Light Media
December 2014
ASIN: B00Q8N1I7M
Genre: Christmas Novella / contemporary / Women’s fiction
A magical place, an island Christmas eve, a broken family in need of healing….
For young military widow, Tiff Riley, Christmas isn't just another day. It's the worst of all days. Hiding out on Hatteras Island with three-and-a-half-year-old Micah, she's desperate to once again ignore the anniversary of tragedy. The winter-season quiet of North Carolina's Outer Banks is the perfect place to escape. It never feels like Christmas at the beach.
But in tiny Hatteras Village, the crew at Sandy's Seashell Shop is determined to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. Is it possible for a magical Christmas Eve at the Seashell Shop to help mend one damaged life? On a night of miracles, in a place of miracles, can a young widow's heart be reopened to joy, hope… and even love?
My thoughts: A SANDY’S SEASHELL SHOP CHRISTMAS is a sweet story that had my heart breaking for Tiff, swelling with love for her sweet little son, Micah, and leaves us with hope for this struggling dual. A story of healing and hope. Highly recommended.
Proceeds from the sale of this E-short will help fund a donation to Operation Military Kids, which serves children whose parents are deployed. E-short length: 40 pages
December 3, 2014
Another great read from Lisa Wingate. Lisa has such a wonderful talent for writing stories in which you the reader feel that you are right there living the lives of the characters. This story is set in the Outer Banks, in which we can once again visit Sandy's Seashell Shop. Her novella, The Sea Glass Sisters, introduced us to Sandy's shop. This new novella is a fast read and well worth reading.
December 4, 2014
What an appropriate way to start off this Christmas season! This is a must read for everyone to put the season in its proper perspective! Lisa Wingate has shown that even through tragedy there is hope for new beginnings if we truly believe.
April 30, 2020
This was just a quick read and a revisit to some beloved characters from earlier in this Carolina series. It’s a sweet neatly tied holiday miracle story. It’s the next in sequence in this series, but it just feels a bit flat and uninspired compared to the others, but maybe I’m expecting too much from a 49-page novella?
December 7, 2017
Losing a loved one makes life difficult to move on. Tiff Riley fights that battle.
A warm Christmas story, that leaves you filled with hope.
A setting that will flow waves of warmth over your soul.
A warm Christmas story, that leaves you filled with hope.
A setting that will flow waves of warmth over your soul.
December 29, 2020
This was a very short story that packed a lot in the 40ish pages. A young woman is trying to move on after the loss of her husband in Afghanistan. She is at a NC beach with her son for Christmas and is finally able to start the healing process after the kindness of strangers.
December 14, 2018
A very sweet short story that reminds us that, with Christ, all things are possible, even hope in grief, and Christmas miracles!
December 15, 2017
What a wonderful Christmase short story. I loved it and read it in one setting. I enjoyed the positive message of joy that anyone can give another, no matter how down or depressed the may be. God is good and this story shows how His goodness can be shown through small children, elderly individules, and others who are our own age. I would recommend this to anyone who is reading this review and questioning if this is the book for you. Here is Amazon's description of this book:
For young military widow, Tiff Riley, Christmas isn't just another day. It's the worst of all days. Hiding out on Hatteras Island with three-and-a-half-year-old Micah, she's desperate to once again ignore the anniversary of tragedy. The winter-season quiet of North Carolina's Outer Banks is the perfect place to escape. It never feels like Christmas at the beach.
But in tiny Hatteras Village, the crew at Sandy's Seashell Shop is determined to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. Is it possible for a magical Christmas Eve at the Seashell Shop to help mend one damaged life? On a night of miracles, in a place of miracles, can a young widow's heart be reopened to joy, hope... and even love?
For young military widow, Tiff Riley, Christmas isn't just another day. It's the worst of all days. Hiding out on Hatteras Island with three-and-a-half-year-old Micah, she's desperate to once again ignore the anniversary of tragedy. The winter-season quiet of North Carolina's Outer Banks is the perfect place to escape. It never feels like Christmas at the beach.
But in tiny Hatteras Village, the crew at Sandy's Seashell Shop is determined to make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas. Is it possible for a magical Christmas Eve at the Seashell Shop to help mend one damaged life? On a night of miracles, in a place of miracles, can a young widow's heart be reopened to joy, hope... and even love?
December 30, 2016
Perfect for a Christmas day
A short story, which is perfect for a Christmas read, features a young widow and her son hiding out on the Outer Banks during Christmas time. Her husband was killed in Afghanistan, and she cannot face Christmas since then, but then fate takes a hand in convincing her to rejoining the world.
A touching, heartfelt story that reminds a reader to believe in miracles. Not only that, but this book supports children of military family (see description of the short story above).
A short story, which is perfect for a Christmas read, features a young widow and her son hiding out on the Outer Banks during Christmas time. Her husband was killed in Afghanistan, and she cannot face Christmas since then, but then fate takes a hand in convincing her to rejoining the world.
A touching, heartfelt story that reminds a reader to believe in miracles. Not only that, but this book supports children of military family (see description of the short story above).
December 4, 2014
I adore this special little story! A Sandy’s Seashell Shop Christmas is a Christmas tale that warms your heart and begs to be read again and again! Lisa Wingate once again brings the wonderful residents of Fairhope to life, as they share a magical Christmas Eve with a young military widow and her little boy. Brimming with hope, healing, and the magic of Christmas, this little story is the perfect holiday read!
December 3, 2014
Loved this! What a perfect start to the Christmas Season! Beautiful short story about love, healing and hope. An Army widow takes their 3 year old son to the beach - a place that his father loved. Because of the Magic that is Christmas, healing, hope and love can begin...highly recommend! And, proceeds go to Operation Military Kids!
December 4, 2014
I love everything Lisa Wingate writes. This is no exception. What a lovely Christmas novella. Heads up, have the tissues ready especially if there is a little boy(s) in your life who are now grown. This will bring back those sweet childhood memories through the three year old character in this story. (Proceeds from the novella will fund donations to Operation Military Kids)
December 6, 2021
A short, heartwarming story about an army widow and her small son, who find solace and friendship at the Christmas celebration held by Sandy's Seashell Shop. It is beautifully written, with memorable characters, especially young Michah, the widow's small son. It may be a short story, but it is full of love and hope.
December 4, 2014
A broken soul without any Christmas spirit finds the true meaning of Christmas when she least expects it. This is a must read! Touching, promising and loving....Lisa Wingate has done it again! Her talent is the use of the written word is pure magic!
December 15, 2014
I really liked this story but would have liked a little more before the story ended. Would have liked to know where the story of Jason and Tiff was headed, if anywhere.
December 4, 2014
This was purposely short, but it would have been fun to have a little more to the story. Micah was a sweetie.
December 4, 2014
What a great treat for the holidays
This was a great read for the holidays. I could have read more to see what happens. But still loved the story. Thank you. Juli :)
This was a great read for the holidays. I could have read more to see what happens. But still loved the story. Thank you. Juli :)
January 3, 2015
I really enjoyed this sweet Christmas novella. Full of endearing characters, it made me want to go visit! I hope to see more of their story in a full novel someday.
December 6, 2014
Final feeling: Wow! This one hit me right in the heart. Beautiful story of a woman making the journey from heartache to joy. Brought the Christmas spirit alive in the most real and tender way. Loved!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews