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Chancey
Christmas Crisis in Chancey
Christmas Novella set in the popular fictional town of Chancey, Georgia. Whether this is your first trip to Chancey, or you're an old friend - Welcome! This is one meeting you don't want to miss. Christmas is just around the corner and there's a crisis so a meeting has been called. And you never want to miss a meeting in a small town because you just might end up in charge of the Christmas Parade. Memories surface, tempers flare, and new suggestions get shot down because it's never been done that way before. This novella is a perfect way to sip a cup of hot cocoa and take a quick trip to a small Southern town for the holidays.
- GenresChristmas
69 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2018
156 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Kay Dew Shostak
23 books100 followershttps://www.facebook.com/kay.shostak
“A new voice in Southern Fiction” is how a recent reviewer labels Kay Dew Shostak’s debut novel, "Next Stop, Chancey".
After being raised in a small-town in Tennessee, Kay lived around the country in a variety of settings. Taking a look at the familiar and loved from new perspectives led Kay to see, and then write about, the absurd, the beautiful, and the funny in her South.
After publishing several stories in compilation books and spending a few years in journalism, Kay wandered into writing fiction and found it hard to leave. She currently is working on the fourth book in the Chancey series and living in Fernandina Beach, Florida with her husband.
“A new voice in Southern Fiction” is how a recent reviewer labels Kay Dew Shostak’s debut novel, "Next Stop, Chancey".
After being raised in a small-town in Tennessee, Kay lived around the country in a variety of settings. Taking a look at the familiar and loved from new perspectives led Kay to see, and then write about, the absurd, the beautiful, and the funny in her South.
After publishing several stories in compilation books and spending a few years in journalism, Kay wandered into writing fiction and found it hard to leave. She currently is working on the fourth book in the Chancey series and living in Fernandina Beach, Florida with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 22, 2020
3.5 stars. Cute but could have used a little more... something.
I think what this novella lacked was a little more substance. By the time you get to the very end, you realize that you just might have been duped to thinking that this alleged "day in the life of" novella was actually a shaggy dog story without much of a punchline. No, I'm not going to spoil it for you other than it's about our main female character who is experiencing her first Christmas in her new town of rural Georgia (she's originally from Atlanta) where she's now running a B&B, has a railfan (fan of railroads) husband who's out and about with his career, and everything's now on her shoulders, including running said B&B, taking care of her two teenage kids who spend too much time on the internet, her oldest who seems to be more responsible while dealing with a boatload of community faces who are trying to figure out what to do community-wise this Christmas... to attract business and non-local attention. (This is quite the run-on sentence. Sorry about that.) And that's about that... But we do learn more than a few deep, dark secrets that have found their ways into the... candlelight. Lots of those who like/hate/despise Christmas.
Considering what other low-rated reviews have said, I think the lack of that oomph! is what made me feel that a 3.5 star review was warranted. It could had been better... Oh well...
I think what this novella lacked was a little more substance. By the time you get to the very end, you realize that you just might have been duped to thinking that this alleged "day in the life of" novella was actually a shaggy dog story without much of a punchline. No, I'm not going to spoil it for you other than it's about our main female character who is experiencing her first Christmas in her new town of rural Georgia (she's originally from Atlanta) where she's now running a B&B, has a railfan (fan of railroads) husband who's out and about with his career, and everything's now on her shoulders, including running said B&B, taking care of her two teenage kids who spend too much time on the internet, her oldest who seems to be more responsible while dealing with a boatload of community faces who are trying to figure out what to do community-wise this Christmas... to attract business and non-local attention. (This is quite the run-on sentence. Sorry about that.) And that's about that... But we do learn more than a few deep, dark secrets that have found their ways into the... candlelight. Lots of those who like/hate/despise Christmas.
Considering what other low-rated reviews have said, I think the lack of that oomph! is what made me feel that a 3.5 star review was warranted. It could had been better... Oh well...
December 10, 2018
Christmas Spirit
Every time I read a book by Kay Dew Shostak I feel like I'm back home in the South ( KY.) Reading Christmas in Chancey was a good way to get in the Christmas spirit.
One of my favorite parts of the book was when they were worried about snow even though it was still November. I remember travelling from Florida through southern Alabama several years ago. We stopped earlier than planned because of snow. I was used to driving in snow, but I didn't want to get tangled with someone who didn't know enough to slow down. We we t to Longhorn steakhouse for dinner. By that time snow had stopped, but the manager told us they were short handed because he let a couple high school kids go home early. They had never driven through on snowy roads.
Every time I read a book by Kay Dew Shostak I feel like I'm back home in the South ( KY.) Reading Christmas in Chancey was a good way to get in the Christmas spirit.
One of my favorite parts of the book was when they were worried about snow even though it was still November. I remember travelling from Florida through southern Alabama several years ago. We stopped earlier than planned because of snow. I was used to driving in snow, but I didn't want to get tangled with someone who didn't know enough to slow down. We we t to Longhorn steakhouse for dinner. By that time snow had stopped, but the manager told us they were short handed because he let a couple high school kids go home early. They had never driven through on snowy roads.
December 3, 2019
This short book covers a single day in the small southern town of Chancey, GA. The women of the town gather to discuss creating a Christmas celebration in their town. As they plan and discuss, we get brief glimpses into Christmases past, traditions, and memories both fond and painful. We also get small samples of the ways that traditions and expectations sometimes create tension in families as children and in-laws navigate how, where, and with whom to spend holiday time. I really enjoyed this author’s writing, which is always a pleasant surprise when it comes to books I get free on Kindle. But after reading this, I would happily read more in the Chancey series. I found the characters, especially Carolina, to be some of the most relatable I have read.
December 16, 2018
Delightful
This is the first story I’ve read by this author. It’s a quick read about Christmas traditions in a small southern town where everyone knows everyone and old family traditions still mean a lot. Forget the modern-day laser light shows and everything being about who got the biggest and most expensive gifts. I, too, remember getting an orange and homemade cookie in my Christmas stocking as a child.
This is the first story I’ve read by this author. It’s a quick read about Christmas traditions in a small southern town where everyone knows everyone and old family traditions still mean a lot. Forget the modern-day laser light shows and everything being about who got the biggest and most expensive gifts. I, too, remember getting an orange and homemade cookie in my Christmas stocking as a child.
December 26, 2021
A very quick and sweet read. I picked it up to read while we spent the week of Christmas in a cabin in North Carolina. It was perfect. Set in a small town and lots of reminiscing about Christmas traditions and special Christmases of the past. As a Yankee who moved to the south, I laughed out loud I about the main character losing internet because a squirrel chewed through her lines in the attic. That exact thing happened to me after moving south!
November 16, 2018
The true meaning of Chtristmad
Christmas Crises in Chancey takes many people of different ages in a meeting discussing what Christmas means to them ...the only thing I didn't like it wasn't long enough. Lol. No I would highly recommend this book and Arthur. It's really well written.
Christmas Crises in Chancey takes many people of different ages in a meeting discussing what Christmas means to them ...the only thing I didn't like it wasn't long enough. Lol. No I would highly recommend this book and Arthur. It's really well written.
December 16, 2018
How is the real estate market in Chancey?
I’m ready to move to Chancey. I crotchet and bake so my Home Economics skills are ready to be put to use! This is a most delightful story! It was a very inspirational read. I’m excited that it is the first book in a series. Do yourself a favor and settle down for a heartwarming time immersed in Christmas Crisis in Chauncey!
I’m ready to move to Chancey. I crotchet and bake so my Home Economics skills are ready to be put to use! This is a most delightful story! It was a very inspirational read. I’m excited that it is the first book in a series. Do yourself a favor and settle down for a heartwarming time immersed in Christmas Crisis in Chauncey!
July 15, 2019
Ok?
I’m kind of on the fence with this. I understand that this was just intended to be a short little snippet between books...but I feel like I wasted my time with it. It went NOWHERE. And it took me FOREVER to finish because I couldn’t bring myself to go back to it. Maybe just stick with the full length versions?
I’m kind of on the fence with this. I understand that this was just intended to be a short little snippet between books...but I feel like I wasted my time with it. It went NOWHERE. And it took me FOREVER to finish because I couldn’t bring myself to go back to it. Maybe just stick with the full length versions?
February 15, 2019
A series to enjoy
I really enjoyed reading this series. Currently waiting for book seven! Somehow all of these characters become like family. All of the books in this series are really good.They will make you mad,make you and make you laugh.
I really enjoyed reading this series. Currently waiting for book seven! Somehow all of these characters become like family. All of the books in this series are really good.They will make you mad,make you and make you laugh.
December 21, 2021
This novella was cute, but some of the characters needed a little more development. Perhaps if the author had fewer characters they could have been more developed. Cute story though, and a quick read.
December 24, 2018
Very short story
I like the Chancey books with the Southern ladies and their accents. They are funny and good hearted. I would have liked this to be longer.
I like the Chancey books with the Southern ladies and their accents. They are funny and good hearted. I would have liked this to be longer.
January 8, 2019
I loved it, but it was too short. It left me wanting more!! Eagerly awaiting next book.
September 11, 2019
Too short!!!
Great book but I surely didn’t want it to end so abruptly! Hey Kay...you owe us the rest of the story!😍
Great book but I surely didn’t want it to end so abruptly! Hey Kay...you owe us the rest of the story!😍
November 17, 2019
Novella
Quick to read story about good old christmastime.
Well written.
Interesting characters
Recommend this author
Has other books available to read
Quick to read story about good old christmastime.
Well written.
Interesting characters
Recommend this author
Has other books available to read
November 17, 2019
Cute for what it was.. like reading a prequel for a book to come.
December 1, 2019
another new author for me. A very true aspect toward Christmas, wish everyone had this mind frame.
December 21, 2019
Always a good day to visit Chancey
December 5, 2020
Christmas
I love Christmas stories and this was delightful. Small town America is where I grew up and this is a sweet reminder of life in a small town.
I love Christmas stories and this was delightful. Small town America is where I grew up and this is a sweet reminder of life in a small town.
December 8, 2020
Enjoyed meeting these characters
December 22, 2020
Quick read
Quick Christmas read! A towns way to bring Christmas back to the town. I feel you have to read more of the other books to get to know everyone in town.
Quick Christmas read! A towns way to bring Christmas back to the town. I feel you have to read more of the other books to get to know everyone in town.
October 6, 2021
So e joyed these books
I am so sad that this was the end of this series. I always felt like I was going home. I sure hope that this is not the end.
I am so sad that this was the end of this series. I always felt like I was going home. I sure hope that this is not the end.
December 17, 2023
Not a particularly compelling book, but it was good for a Christmas novella I found in a thrift store. It was cozy and I liked that the book took place over the span of one day, though I was confused by some of the characters because I haven't read any other books in this series. I don't think I'll read any more Chancey books, but this one wasn't bad.
October 6, 2025
Kindle Unlimited
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews