A Christmas Dozen: Christmas Stories to Warm the Heart

by Steve Burt

Ages 9 to 99. Finalist, ForeWord Award 2001 Audio Book of the Year. Twelve Christmas stories, previously shared by Burt in magazines, newspapers, radio, TV, and at hundreds of public readings each year. Privately published Oct 2000, sold 10,000 copies in Connecticut and Massachusetts without being in a bookstore.

Genres: Christmas

120 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Steve Burt's 2019 gargoyle novel, The Bookseller's Daughter, has won the NY Book Festival Grand Prize and the gold Mom's Choice Award. He is a retired minister and multi-award-winning writer who is best-known for his FreeKs psychic teen detectives series (FreeK Camp, FreeK Show, FreeK Week) and his Stories to Chill the Heart story collections (Odd Lot, Even Odder, Oddest Yet, Wicked Odd). He has won the Bram Stoker Award, several Ray Bradbury writing prizes, and the Benjamin Franklin Award, plus a bunch of book festival awards (Paris, London, NY, New England, San Francisco, Hollywood, Halloween, Beach Book Festival awards). His novel FreeK Week was named the Grand Prize winner at the 2015 Florida Book Festival Awards and the Best Y.A. at the New England Book Festival Awards; it also won the 2014 Mom's Choice Award. His latest books include Wicked Strange, Vermont Ghost Busters, Horrors, and a collection titled Vampires, Ghost, and Graveyards. He also writes inspirational books, including Unk's Fiddle and the bestseller, A Christmas Dozen, and has published stories in Family Circle, Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and others, many of which he performs on radio. Before turning to fiction he wrote numerous church-related books. His 2016 books include Publish Your Book Free: Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide to Create Space Print-on-Demand Publishing, First Worst Joke Book, Second Worst Joke Book, and Christmas Soup for the Soul: 10 Hearty Helpings.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. Thoughtful, well-written stories.

[Denise Mchenry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas Dozen is a series of vignettes on the true meaning of Christmas: faith and goodness to others. Beginning with a retelling of the Magi story on a WWII Low Country farm and moving through locales and lives, any reader is sure to find a story that speaks to them.

This little book is best read like a devotional, I feel, imparting reminders over the advent season (or anytime) about what we should strive to be for others on this earth.

[Mariana Farcas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Christmas Dozen" is a compilation of stories about goodness and unconditional love.
Two enemies showing compassion to eachother in 1944, a dog that warms a cat that will have kittens in the snow and many more.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

12 Christmas stories

What a nice collection of short Christmas stories! Thought-provoking, funny, touching and sweet. Makes you feel like you are right there with the settings; helps you remember the real reason for the season.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, somewhat hokey, but endearing little Christmas stories. We read several out loud.

[Kathi Kolarik · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are delightful stories,but they are sometimes predictable.

[Rainie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this one story. Thx for sending it

[Renee Reff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small but powerfully written short story book was not only for Christmas reading, it was good for all seasons. It made you smile and it also gave you a bit of a tear, there was insight to other people and their thoughts. The characters could have been folks and families you have met along your own journeys. As I read the last story I turned the page hoping for more.

I look forward to more stories by this author.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

In compliance with FTC guidelines, I have won this book through the Goodreads Giveaways.

The stories where ok, I was expecting something more universal, and less Catholic though.

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think of these as the "story before the real sermon begins". Heartwarming, lovingly told, but quite short vignettes on the Christmas theme, these are stories in miniature - - -but still enjoyable when the snow is falling and the chores that accompany Christmas start to become overwhelming.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Does it make me a Grinch if I thought this was only ok?

[Hal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I teared up,stories are so sweet. Really made me have the Christmas feeling. Hope there are more books like this by the author.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet collection of stories, I will definitely reread some of my favorites throughout the year!