Literally Christmas

Christmas Clause #1

by C. Streetlights

Dear Santa,

I don’t know why I’m writing this. It’s not like I’ve ever truly believed in the magic of Christmas, but what do I have to lose? My mother can’t look at me, my father doesn’t know whose side to take, and my sister is in total denial of everything. Life hasn’t always been that great, you know? I never really felt like I fit in anywhere, and my parents always denied my sister and me the joys of any holiday, including Christmas and birthdays. Maybe … just maybe I want to try to believe. Yes, that’s my Christmas wish.

Natalie St. Clair



Dear Natalie,

Be careful what you wish for.

Ho, ho, ho!

Santa

Genres: Christmas, Novella

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2019

About the author

As a child, C. Streetlights listened to birds pecking at her rooftop, but instead of fearing them, was convinced they would set her free and she’d someday see the stars.

Southern California sunshine never gave C. Streetlights the blonde hair or blue eyes she needed to fit in with her high school’s beach girls, her inability to smell like teen spirit kept her from the grunge movement, and she wasn’t peppy enough to cheer. She ebbed and flowed with the tide, not a misfit but not exactly fitting in, either.

C. Streetlights grew up, as people do, earned a few degrees and became a teacher. She spent her days discussing topics like essay writing, Romeo and Juliet, the difference between a paragraph and a sentence, and for God’s sake, please stop eating the glue sticks.

C. Streetlights now lives in the mountains with a husband, two miracle children, and a dog who eats Kleenex. She retired from teaching so she can raise her children to pick up their underwear from the bathroom floor, to write, and to slay windmills and dragons. She is happy to report that she can finally see the stars.

Reviews

[LMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally Christmas By: C. Streetlights
Will "Literally Christmas" Change Her Life....
She's gonna learn all some Home TRUTHS this Year,
When "Literally Christmas" makes this Gal know ALL about Holiday Cheer...
I was granted, via B00|{$P®0UT, an ARC of C. Streetlights' "Literally Christmas." I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!
My Rating Sytem:
4🌟: I like IT a lot. Great, Solid Story w/ few if any inconsistencies or errors. This is a HIGH Rating, & I rarely give OUT a Higher Rating.
If My Review is helpful to you, please check the box below~ Thank You.

[PelicanFreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes amazing things can come from difficult feelings.”
“Miracles have a way of bending even the smallest detail to their will.”


✨Magical … literally.
The real world and a cynical holiday-hater meets magic and all works out and is so pretty in the process! This is a super cute story about the magic of the holidays, love, family and … honestly looking at things with an open mind and the power that can have.

You can just get lost in it and enjoy the magic of it all, the holiday fun, with complete the Peppermint Bridge and the Cocoa Canal (and more), leaping lords, etc., or you can stop and admire the beautiful writing that it’s wrapped up in and absorb a message or two.

Either way, it’s good stuff.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

While dancing and happiness went on below her, a little 4-year-old girl slipped out of the nursery and with wonder and awe entered the room with the bright sleigh. She climbed into it and snuggled under the warm furs to fall asleep watching the adults busy in the workshop.

Natalie parked and approached her parents’ house for their second-Monday-of-every-month breakfast appointment which was nothing more than a strict 90 minutes she never looked forward to spending with them. Christmas lights were going up all around the neighborhood, but Sherry and Martin St. Clair had never decorated their home for any holiday nor had they ever permitted gifts. From the time of their adoption, she and the other adopted child were to only address the St. Clairs by their given name, no ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ allowed, no warm feelings, no rush of sentimentality at being back home. In fact, these monthly breakfasts began the month after graduation from college, and she had to bring a check to each appointment to pay them back. This would be the last required breakfast.

Martin tried to ask her how things were going with her job, but he couldn’t remember what she did. They were acting oddly as she saw Sherry attempt a smile (unsuccessfully). Sherry couldn’t even call Natalie her daughter without choking on a piece of fruit, unable to finish the word. All Natalie and Chloe had ever wanted was love, to know they were even worth loving, but Martin and Sherry never gave them that – or anything else. Now they wanted to explain themselves as he blurted out that Sherry was dying, but she no longer cared to listen and she walked out.

At work as an event planner in the busiest season for them, Natalie groaned out, “How does someone who hates Christmas plan festive and joyous Christmas parties? This is literally the worst time of year ever!” Her boss chuckled and called her a Grinch. Then looking at the work Natalie had done on a major account’s Christmas party – a table with a poinsettia in the center on her sketchpad – Victoria asked Natalie to step into her office. Asking her point blank why she hated Christmas, Natalie found herself telling Victoria of her cold childhood. Victoria kindly listened, then told her that the best way to understand the spirit of Christmas is by working directly with the Father of the Holidays – Santa Claus! Victoria’s brother-in-law is Santa Claus, his assistant is Mason, and they will be building his Enchanted Forest at Northpointe Mall. Victoria assists him setting it up every year, and now Natalie will be one of his elves and learn to love Christmas.

On her first day with them, Mason just touched the crates, it seemed, and they opened right up! He took something out of the crate, she turned to talk to Victoria, and whatever it was appeared fully built when she turned back to him – it was absolutely magical! Revealing this at lunch, Chloe thought she was delusional, but her co-worker friend Caroline suggested this may be the real Santa with a real elf trying to help her believe.

Bringing the Spirit of Christmas, love and hope, back to a lonely and damaged Elf gives the Reader plenty of laughs, never quite sure whether this is hallucination or magic! It was so beautiful being taken along on this journey. Grab your copy and find the real joy of Christmas in your heart.

[TC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll give credit where it's due; this story is well written, well edited and has a unique and original plot which was well executed. As such I'm not going to devalue the author's hard work by giving it a lower star rating when I didn't particularly enjoy it due to what I feel was my error. Read on for why...

I do wish the blurb was more clear. I did not anticipate that this was -literally- a book about adults with real elves, real Santa, real Magic of Christmas (Yeah, I know with a title like "Literally Christmas" I probably should have picked up on that!). If that is what you are looking for, this story was wonderfully written and heartwarming even if fantastical, although I did find the ending a bit abrupt but still satisfactory. If you think (like I did) that it was going to be a romance with a guy in a Santa suit, then probably not the book for you.

Recommended for those looking for a feel-good, fantasy Christmas story.

I received this book from Booksprout and have chosen to share my thoughts.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong,well developed characters and a beautiful Christmas story. The author does a fantastic job describing both her characters and scenes and takes you on an emotion filled journey with family,love and forgiveness. She brings laughter and tears and weaves a story I loved reading. It moves quickly and smoothly and I highly recommend reading.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written Christmas short story by an Author I have not read before. Natalie St. Clair works at the mall with Santa and his helper but what she does not know is that Martin and Santa Claus are really who they say they are. She also finds out why her and her sister never celebrated Christmas or birthdays with her adopted parents. I found myself laughing as I read this story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really great. My attention was kept throughout the entire story and I had a hard time putting down. The story and characters are well written and developed. I would definitely recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mr. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and instantly part of the Christmas cannon, to be read and shared with loved ones every year. While the story develops there is the perfect balance of intrigue, romance, magic, and Santa to keep you flipping to the end. I cannot wait for the sequel. C. Streetlights had previously focused on poetry and memoir, but this novella is an instant classic. "Literally Christmas" is the perfect escape novel to the magical Christmas season. Without spoiling anything, it is the story of a young woman who discovers way more about Christmas than she ever thought was possible. Bravo!

[Chantal-Lise Mirman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believing in Christmas!

Lovely whimsical tale that revels in a hard core belief in Santa, the North Pole, Elves and Christmas Magic. Reintroducing the Spirit of Christmas to a lost Elf takes some outlandish and hilarious twists (the pop-up Hippopotamus, for example). Families are restored beyond imagination and Love and Joy definitely prevail! Pick up this story if you feel the need for a pick-me-up and you will soon be brimming with Holiday Cheer!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good teen and young adult read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good. The story is an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elysian Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well dang if this wasn't an amazing Christmas story; and not only a holiday story but one of redemption, faith, forgiveness, and love. I thought the story sounded cute and thought I would just start it right before bed, bad idea, I devoured it that same night, couldn’t put it down. The story was sad and heart wrenching in some places but also had this amazing lightness on the magical side. I liked the way the author introduced the Christmas elements but also kept the story about the power of family and forgiveness. I don’t want to give anything else away, so I will say that this is the perfect Christmas (holiday) story and it will become a must read for me every year. It stays within the theme of the holidays and makes me want to remember and celebrate what I am lucky enough to have in life. I received an ARC via Booksprount and I am leaving an honest review. I also want to purchase this in paperback for so I can add it to my holiday library.

[Tina Layner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful book. The author done a great job in writing it.
Natalie and her sister were orphans that got adopted by the same family. The girls did not know how to celebrate Christmas or their birthdays. Their foster family did not celebrate and occasion.
When Natalie had to work at the mall with Santa , she had no clue that it would change her life forever.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[romancejunkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and heartwarming story about believing in the magic of Christmas.

[Shweta · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface this book is about an adopted young woman who never got an opportunity to celebrate Christmas, birthdays or any other occasions, but if you look a little below the story, you find there's so much more there.

For me this was a small reminder of the fact that believing in magic and miracles was the only way to keep my inner child alive and happy. By believing in your own self, love, oneness and looking beyond people's behavior to what is the cause of that behavior we can create a miracle every day in our life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie unexpectedly leaves Santa’s workshop via his deliveries on one Christmas Eve. She was too young to remember and ended up at an orphanage. The journey back to Christmas is filled with hardship and sadness for her and her adoptive sister. But can the spirit of Christmas help her forgive? And allow her to fall in love with an elf? Fun and interesting

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by C. Streetlights; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story of a child elf growing in the real world after hitching a ride with Santa. Wish the Literally Christmas part was played a little longer and the adopted parents weren't weakly redeemed for having a reason for being terrible parents.

[Deena Schoenfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little read!

I enjoyed this short story. It took me three or four hours so a good filler in between large emotional or engaging books.

The story was so sweet. It had some emotional parts but for the most part it was a happily ever after. Not that this story can't be expanded with other characters.

Literally Christmas is the story of two sisters who were adopted by a man and woman who for a lack of a better description, were unsentimental. These girls grew up never knowing Christmas birthdays, holidays -  every day was a normal day. So as the girls grew older, they have some resentment towards their adoptive parents.

Literally Christmas gives some backstory and part of the story is how one main character finds her Christmas spirit when part of her job is to spend a month as a Santa's elf at the local mall.

If you need a little Christmas spirit, think you would enjoy a scene where the heroine wakes up to a true-life representation of  the 12 days of Christmas filling her her house and the hilarity that comes with it, be sure to pick up this book.

All I want for Christmas is a hippopotamus and Literally Christmas.

Recommend?
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves or needs a little Christmas spirt wrapped in a short story.

This review appeared on my website.

Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[KKEC Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published: December 2, 2019
Beyond DEF Publishing, LLC
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

C. Streetlights is a retired teacher but has been a writer for over 20 years. She now lives in the mountains with her family and her dog. She continues writing lovely stories that warm the heart and make you smile.

“A little Christmas Spirit wouldn’t, well … kill her.”

Natalie and her sister Chloe were adopted as children and grew up in a house that didn’t celebrate holidays. Any holiday. They always felt like outsiders in their own homes, and they did not feel loved by their parents. As an adult, Natalie works as an event planner and is working on a big Christmas party. When her boss discovers that Natalie seriously lacks holiday inspiration, she gives her a bizarre assignment: she works as one of Santa’s elves at the mall. Natalie is not convinced this will help her discover the meaning of Christmas, but Santa and Mason, another elf helper, have other plans. As Natalie slowly discovers who she truly is, she finds truth, forgiveness, understanding, and love.

This was such a sweet story. So original and very appropriate for the season. I enjoyed reading this. I have never read anything from C. Starlight’s, but this is a gem of a Christmas tale.

Natalie learns a lot about herself, her parents, and Christmas throughout this book. I loved the literal aspect- such fun! This is a very quick read, and I highly recommend reading it if you are looking for a heartfelt, festive fable as you sit beside your Christmas tree.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely adorable story. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was great to be able to escape into the fantasy of Santa and his elves. How a little elf crept into Santa’s sleigh and was left abandoned at an orphanage and adopted by parents who neglected her emotionally and found her way into working for Santa and learning how to feel the joy of Christmas. You really don’t want to miss out on reading this pure escapism but really sweet and clean entertainment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie and Chloe were adopted by a couple who seem to be uncaring/unfeeling. Due to her lagging Christmas spirit, Natalie's boss assigns her to work at the mall with Santa and his elf, Mason. Her relationship with Santa and Mason changes her outlook on life and the holiday. My first read from this author, this is a different kind of Christmas story - interesting, fun, hilarious at times. Natalie eventually finds what she needs for peace in her life. It's short, but so enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great story. It was whimsical, fun, entertaining and so enjoyable to read. It had a little bit of everything - romance, magic, and Santa. This was such an adorable novel and a great addition to my library.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Lisa Alton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful way to find your Christmas spirit

This was a very different type of Christmas story. Imagine growing up not celebrating Christmas and being tasked with designing a Christmas event but you’ve never felt that spirit of Christmas. This book takes you on a journey to find your Christmas spirit. A very enjoyable read.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't end the way I thought

This book is great. I found it funny that I laughed so much. I also found that being a softy that I cry easy. This book was a book I never seen both sides, when a baby dies. It deserved 5 🌟

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful fantasy book. Whimsical and witty story with great characters. Lots of twists and turns and some funny parts. Interesting and entertaining characters. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Minnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the first book of this series... Puh. Yes. I don't know what to say 🙈 The beginning was ok. In the middle, I didn't know where it was going, but the end was good 😁 And the middle was clear because of the end 😉 So it was a good and funny read. And now I'm excited to read the second book 😊

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unique story of finding the Christmas spirit, when you never knew it existed. It will take your heart of emotional ride of family, pain, forgiveness and love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.