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The Great Christmas Bowl
Christmas is a magical season. Except for this year.
Marianne Wallace loves the holidays. From dressing the tree to her traditional Christmas dinner, it’s all about creating memories for her family. But when her children begin to leave home—and their traditions—behind, she has one last chance to create a holiday they’ll never forget.
Unfortunately, she’s soon in over her head, and one impulsive decision leads to a string of events that will change the way her family—even her small Minnesota town—sees the Christmas season.
Marianne Wallace loves the holidays. From dressing the tree to her traditional Christmas dinner, it’s all about creating memories for her family. But when her children begin to leave home—and their traditions—behind, she has one last chance to create a holiday they’ll never forget.
Unfortunately, she’s soon in over her head, and one impulsive decision leads to a string of events that will change the way her family—even her small Minnesota town—sees the Christmas season.
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2009
25 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
Susan May Warren
220 books3,659 followersI can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him.
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 27, 2024
What an absolutely tremendous story that gave me such food for thought actually with the perspectives discussed. What it really means to serve one another; not only physically but with a right heart and attitude. The Mother who put aside her pride as she ended up being a trout mascot no less for her son's football games, and unexpectedly ended up being a chair of the hospitality committee as many learned about what true hospitality entailed instead of just hosting the same type of events. From just having a fancy Christmas tea to a soup kitchen to help the struggling for hospitality means helping without grumbling, showing kindness to strangers.
Another book I had but somehow missed, now finally read and loved it. Well worth a pleasant read!
Another book I had but somehow missed, now finally read and loved it. Well worth a pleasant read!
September 24, 2009
The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren is everything that a holiday novella should be! Marianne Walker lives for Christmas when her children are all home and they fulfill the traditions they've spent a lifetime building. But this year promises to be a bit different: her youngest son, Kevin, has made the high school football team which is on its way to the state championships, her husband, Mike, volunteers her to the the church's hospitality chairman which puts her in charge of the annual Christmas Tea, and one by one, her children start to cancel on her plans for Christmas. When Kevin volunteers her to serve as the team mascot, a trout, she has two choices: go into it with anger and bitterness or embrace the role. Lucky for Big Lake, Minnesota, and the reader, she embraces it, making for plenty of hilarious pratfalls. Only a Scrooge could make it through the last couple of chapters without tearing up! Most holiday novellas, go for sentiment or a message over content, but Warren shoots right for the heart with humor and faith. She keeps it true by remembering the reason for the season, but also by creating a real character in Marianne.
December 20, 2022
A really sweet Christmas story about remembering what’s really important during the Christmas season. I liked the fun and humorous elements of the story a lot. It a quick and easy read. Recommended.
September 25, 2009
Marianne loves the holidays, especially all the traditions she's created for her family over the years. And she's looking forward to this Christmas, with all of them together!
But things don't go exactly as planned. It all starts with a fish - when she makes the ultimate sacrifice of becoming the trout mascot for her son's football team. And along the way, she learns what hospitality is all about. And realizes that she AND her kids have done some growing up, which can be a good thing. The resulting Christmas is one of her most memorable ever.
A delightful, light-hearted book that I thoroughly enjoyed, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a way to get into the Christmas spirit. It's short enough even to fit into the busyness that consumes many of us in December, and I suspect it will become a Christmas classic.
This is the first book of Susan's that I've read, and I will definitely be on the lookout for her other books now.
But things don't go exactly as planned. It all starts with a fish - when she makes the ultimate sacrifice of becoming the trout mascot for her son's football team. And along the way, she learns what hospitality is all about. And realizes that she AND her kids have done some growing up, which can be a good thing. The resulting Christmas is one of her most memorable ever.
A delightful, light-hearted book that I thoroughly enjoyed, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a way to get into the Christmas spirit. It's short enough even to fit into the busyness that consumes many of us in December, and I suspect it will become a Christmas classic.
This is the first book of Susan's that I've read, and I will definitely be on the lookout for her other books now.
November 15, 2013
A Delightful Holiday Read!
I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had reading this book. I laughed out loud so many times in this story because of the descriptive scenes this author portrayed. I even climbed into bed one night and laughingly set the stage and told my husband about certain scenes. I can’t describe them in this review because I don’t want to spoil anything for future readers.
Not only was there humor in this book, there were moments that drove home to the reader the importance of family, church family, community, and the willingness to put aside the old saying, it has always been done this way and work together. The best part was God and faith.
The ending of this book was wonderful! I was in tears. The message hit home and left me feeling great!
Thank you author Susan May Warren for making my day!
I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had reading this book. I laughed out loud so many times in this story because of the descriptive scenes this author portrayed. I even climbed into bed one night and laughingly set the stage and told my husband about certain scenes. I can’t describe them in this review because I don’t want to spoil anything for future readers.
Not only was there humor in this book, there were moments that drove home to the reader the importance of family, church family, community, and the willingness to put aside the old saying, it has always been done this way and work together. The best part was God and faith.
The ending of this book was wonderful! I was in tears. The message hit home and left me feeling great!
Thank you author Susan May Warren for making my day!
November 25, 2020
This is my 3rd year reading this book at Christmas and I love it. I love everything about this simple, sweet family story that isn't sugary or over the top and happens to be about a trout, and a football team, and clam chowder and how things change. I think I will keep it my Christmas tradition!
December 21, 2010
I feel like a Scrooge, but this book didn't do much for me. I did not connect and my youngest child is a senior in high school!
December 27, 2025
This book was so GOOD!!!
There are times in our lives when we can get overwhelmed and even a little selfish and forget what it truly means to have an attitude of hospitality!
God truly can work it all out for our good and His purpose! I enjoyed reading this book and I may find myself picking it up in the Christmas seasons to come!
There are times in our lives when we can get overwhelmed and even a little selfish and forget what it truly means to have an attitude of hospitality!
God truly can work it all out for our good and His purpose! I enjoyed reading this book and I may find myself picking it up in the Christmas seasons to come!
December 11, 2025
such a great quick read just in time for Christmas.
September 23, 2009
The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren is the perfect read for the holiday season. Poignant. Light-hearted. Humorous. I KNOW that others will love this novella as much as I did.
About The Book:
Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son's team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot-the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas Tea? When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas Tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one her children tell her they can't come home for Christmas. As life starts to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays?
Here are some things I particularly enjoyed about this book:
1. First Person POV
This is the first book I've read by this author in first person, and I thought she did an amazing job! This is truly one person's story, so it made perfect sense to write it from only her perspective.
2. Humor Abounds!
Here's a snippet from the story when Marianne is asked to chair the hospitality committee at church:
"The hospitality position came staffed with women decades older than I, who could teach even Martha Stewart a few things about stretching a budget and creating centerpieces. I'd rather lead a camping trip for two hundred toddlers through a mosquito-infested jungle."
3. A Story Mothers Can Relate To
"I didn't care if they missed my birthday. And I could shrug away Thanksgiving. But please, I begged to the silent, gray, snowless heaves as I brought in the giant plastic pumpkin from the front lawn, send them home for Christmas."
4. Breathless Moments
"Go! In my mind he was already in the end zone when a defender crashed into him from behind. I saw the football fly out of his hands--those giant, Velcro hands--and everything inside me froze.
Then, as I stood there, dying, Kevin grabbed it back. He hit the ground with a shuddering thunk, one I felt in my bones.
And the referee's arms went up."
5. Great End-of-Chapter Cliffhangers
"Beside his bench, his cowbell, his blow horn, sign, and pom-poms, Bud Finlaysen, the team Trout, lay sprawled and unconscious."
6. Impossible Situations
"I saw him suddenly, standing in the play yard, hands outstretched, calling for me. 'Mommy, I need you!'
I could feel my resolve give, just a smidge. What could it hurt? It was just a costume--ugly, yes, but something I could sort of hide inside, right?
For one game, maybe I could be a fish.
Then I remembered the googly eyes, the tail. The cowbell and pom-poms..."
7. Page Design
I've really started to notice these details more and more, and I love them. In this book, the page numbers at the bottom of each page are flanked by holly leaves, and the page breaks are snowflakes.
8. Descriptive Setting
"Thanksgiving, aka Parade Day, arrived with the slow creep of the sun bleeding into the gray sky. Storm clouds hung low, and a stiff wind took the tarp off our grill."
9. Realistic Dialogue
"Listen to this." I opened my Bible to Romans. "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Mike sipped his coffee. "See, now this is what I like. No flavor, just good old Folgers."
I love the way they talk around each other. So true-to-life!
10. Awesome Characters
The character of Marianne is totally relatable. We understand her and sympathize with her. The interplay between the characters is also great.
11. A Double Bind Plot
I recently came across the term "double bind," and realized how often we see this technique used in book and movie plots. It's basically the idea where you put your character in a situation so no matter what she chooses, someone is going to be unhappy. That's exactly what happens to Marianne in this story.
12. Fresh Writing
For writers, it is often difficult to come up with fresh ways to write something that's been said a million times before. Susan May Warren does that throughout the story, but here's a snippet:
"Championship game day arrived partly cloudy, with the sun jockeying for real estate between the clouds."
13. Great Spiritual Thread
This book truly delivers it all, including a great spiritual theme of the true meaning of hospitality.
I'm giving away a copy of this book at http://wordvessel.blogspot.com on Sept. 23-25, 2009
About The Book:
Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son's team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot-the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas Tea? When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas Tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one her children tell her they can't come home for Christmas. As life starts to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays?
Here are some things I particularly enjoyed about this book:
1. First Person POV
This is the first book I've read by this author in first person, and I thought she did an amazing job! This is truly one person's story, so it made perfect sense to write it from only her perspective.
2. Humor Abounds!
Here's a snippet from the story when Marianne is asked to chair the hospitality committee at church:
"The hospitality position came staffed with women decades older than I, who could teach even Martha Stewart a few things about stretching a budget and creating centerpieces. I'd rather lead a camping trip for two hundred toddlers through a mosquito-infested jungle."
3. A Story Mothers Can Relate To
"I didn't care if they missed my birthday. And I could shrug away Thanksgiving. But please, I begged to the silent, gray, snowless heaves as I brought in the giant plastic pumpkin from the front lawn, send them home for Christmas."
4. Breathless Moments
"Go! In my mind he was already in the end zone when a defender crashed into him from behind. I saw the football fly out of his hands--those giant, Velcro hands--and everything inside me froze.
Then, as I stood there, dying, Kevin grabbed it back. He hit the ground with a shuddering thunk, one I felt in my bones.
And the referee's arms went up."
5. Great End-of-Chapter Cliffhangers
"Beside his bench, his cowbell, his blow horn, sign, and pom-poms, Bud Finlaysen, the team Trout, lay sprawled and unconscious."
6. Impossible Situations
"I saw him suddenly, standing in the play yard, hands outstretched, calling for me. 'Mommy, I need you!'
I could feel my resolve give, just a smidge. What could it hurt? It was just a costume--ugly, yes, but something I could sort of hide inside, right?
For one game, maybe I could be a fish.
Then I remembered the googly eyes, the tail. The cowbell and pom-poms..."
7. Page Design
I've really started to notice these details more and more, and I love them. In this book, the page numbers at the bottom of each page are flanked by holly leaves, and the page breaks are snowflakes.
8. Descriptive Setting
"Thanksgiving, aka Parade Day, arrived with the slow creep of the sun bleeding into the gray sky. Storm clouds hung low, and a stiff wind took the tarp off our grill."
9. Realistic Dialogue
"Listen to this." I opened my Bible to Romans. "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Mike sipped his coffee. "See, now this is what I like. No flavor, just good old Folgers."
I love the way they talk around each other. So true-to-life!
10. Awesome Characters
The character of Marianne is totally relatable. We understand her and sympathize with her. The interplay between the characters is also great.
11. A Double Bind Plot
I recently came across the term "double bind," and realized how often we see this technique used in book and movie plots. It's basically the idea where you put your character in a situation so no matter what she chooses, someone is going to be unhappy. That's exactly what happens to Marianne in this story.
12. Fresh Writing
For writers, it is often difficult to come up with fresh ways to write something that's been said a million times before. Susan May Warren does that throughout the story, but here's a snippet:
"Championship game day arrived partly cloudy, with the sun jockeying for real estate between the clouds."
13. Great Spiritual Thread
This book truly delivers it all, including a great spiritual theme of the true meaning of hospitality.
I'm giving away a copy of this book at http://wordvessel.blogspot.com on Sept. 23-25, 2009
January 19, 2011
From the moment I picked up this book, I enjoyed it. It's a fast read (even for tired Mommies), lighthearted, full of humor and emotions, as well as spirituality. I laughed out loud and cried at the end. I can imagine myself being somewhat similar to the main character and how she handles her children growing up, going off to college, getting married, and trying to balance her children's new lives with the traditions she developed throughout their younger lives. I could feel the heartache she felt imagining what it may be like as my children grow up and leave the house. I could identify what it was probably like for my Mom as most of her children have grown up and left home to start their own lives. Seeing the way things change for families as the children grow up and get married...there are three generations of Christmases in my family and I can see the changes in all three as time goes on. The author speaks of her reliance on God and the reader can see how the author changes over the course of the book through God's guidance...as difficult as it was at times...
This book is very well written and I would HIGHLY recommend it to EVERYONE...not just to read at Christmas; it's a great read any time. There is even a recipe at the end of the book that I plan on trying someday.
This book is very well written and I would HIGHLY recommend it to EVERYONE...not just to read at Christmas; it's a great read any time. There is even a recipe at the end of the book that I plan on trying someday.
April 9, 2020
I do not know whether to consider this a novel or a short story at less than 200 pages, but no matter what category it fits in, it fits under the title of Fabulous! In starting the book, knowing that it was about a woman with five children practically grown, I was unsure that it would be for me as I am a new mom of an 8 week old. I highly doubted that I could relate to someone with so much experience and was uncertain if I would enjoy the read. Yet I love Susie's writing and could not turn it down. Oh my am I glad that I read this! It is an eye opener and even in such a short page amount one can really find some introspective.
The book is full of humor and real life. What I love about this story is that everything that happens one can imagine and relate to in some manner or another. This is a novel about family and the true meaning of Christmas spirit through hospitality. Each page contains humor and a little bit of sad truth of life yet even more joy and reasons for things we are capable of doing. I highly recommend this read for everyone this Christmas season and suggest that you share it with your friends as well. This is one that will not leave you too quickly. I'm so glad Susie decided to publish it.
The book is full of humor and real life. What I love about this story is that everything that happens one can imagine and relate to in some manner or another. This is a novel about family and the true meaning of Christmas spirit through hospitality. Each page contains humor and a little bit of sad truth of life yet even more joy and reasons for things we are capable of doing. I highly recommend this read for everyone this Christmas season and suggest that you share it with your friends as well. This is one that will not leave you too quickly. I'm so glad Susie decided to publish it.
Read
June 3, 2010It was a hot and muggy summer day when I sat down to read The Great Christmas Bowl. Let's face it, at that point in life, Christmas was the farthest holiday from my thoughts.
Quickly I was drawn into a story filled to the brim with humor and a family's love for each other.
I loved the idea of a mother, willing to do anything for her son - including dressing up in an unflattering trout mascot costume "for the good of the team."
I also empathized with Marianne's desire to make everyone "happy" and not say no - especially when it came to planning the Christmas tea at church.
I think, woven among the humor, Warren has crafted a few "life" lessons for readers. Life isn't perfect. You can't make everyone happy all of the time.
Marianne tries to be perfect - a perfect mother, hostess and volunteer. She doesn't like saying no or disappointing people - especially the ones she deeply cares about..
As she tries to do more and more, her life starts to unravel.
Through her exploits - and an unexpected twist at the end - Marianne discovers the true meaning of the holidays and Christmas. The ultimate truth.
I thoroughly enjoyed this simple book. But fair warning...if you pick up this book, you may not want to stop reading until you reach page 157 - it's very addicting.
November 15, 2014
I love Christmas stories and this one was recommended to me by somebody in a book group.
Overall I really did enjoy the story. However, it was a little hard for me to initially get into reading it. The beginning of the book contains many references to football. I am not a sports fan, so it was difficult for me to push through the first few chapters.
Once the story started growing I was able to enjoy it and I finished reading the book pretty quickly. I find the main character easy to relate to, despite her love of sports, because she is a mother and I think that many of her thoughts and feelings are ones that mothers commonly experience. I loved that the book had a bit of a funny twist.
I would definitely recommend this book for mothers that love sports and enjoy reading Christmas stories. It would be hard for me to suggest it to anybody else because I don't know that they would be able to relate to the story enough to enjoy it.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I've heard many great things about her. I will definitely read another of her novels sometime in the near future. I enjoy the style of her writing and I think that I'd really enjoy a novel that had a different theme.
Overall I really did enjoy the story. However, it was a little hard for me to initially get into reading it. The beginning of the book contains many references to football. I am not a sports fan, so it was difficult for me to push through the first few chapters.
Once the story started growing I was able to enjoy it and I finished reading the book pretty quickly. I find the main character easy to relate to, despite her love of sports, because she is a mother and I think that many of her thoughts and feelings are ones that mothers commonly experience. I loved that the book had a bit of a funny twist.
I would definitely recommend this book for mothers that love sports and enjoy reading Christmas stories. It would be hard for me to suggest it to anybody else because I don't know that they would be able to relate to the story enough to enjoy it.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I've heard many great things about her. I will definitely read another of her novels sometime in the near future. I enjoy the style of her writing and I think that I'd really enjoy a novel that had a different theme.
September 22, 2009
I enjoyed this book so much! And not just because the author is a friend; she also happens to be a terrific, award-winning writer, and The Great Christmas Bowl is as good as I expected it to be.
Marianne’s children are growing up, and she knows her family’s life is changing. But she wants the changes to hold off for just one more Christmas, so she can enjoy a holiday rich with all the family traditions she’s established through the years. And is it too much to also ask that her youngest son’s football team win the state championship? Nothing goes according to Marianne’s plans, either on the field or off. Just as often happens in real life, God’s plans are different from Marianne’s. Or are they?
Susan May Warren scores a touchdown with The Great Christmas Bowl. If you love football, or Christmas, or family stories, or good writing, or just plain having fun, you’re going to love this book. (Have I covered everyone?) Let this be the first Christmas book you read this year, and it will usher you into the holiday season with a laugh, and leave a glow warm enough to last all year.
Marianne’s children are growing up, and she knows her family’s life is changing. But she wants the changes to hold off for just one more Christmas, so she can enjoy a holiday rich with all the family traditions she’s established through the years. And is it too much to also ask that her youngest son’s football team win the state championship? Nothing goes according to Marianne’s plans, either on the field or off. Just as often happens in real life, God’s plans are different from Marianne’s. Or are they?
Susan May Warren scores a touchdown with The Great Christmas Bowl. If you love football, or Christmas, or family stories, or good writing, or just plain having fun, you’re going to love this book. (Have I covered everyone?) Let this be the first Christmas book you read this year, and it will usher you into the holiday season with a laugh, and leave a glow warm enough to last all year.
October 12, 2009
Normally I skip over holiday-themed books. They just don't do much for me. But Susan May Warren is an author that typically entertains as well as encourages me. I knew that any story she'd write about the holidays would be funny and realistic. So I tried this story and I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't sappy or goofy. Rather, it was hilariously cute and a bit sentimental, but in a good way. I loved the trout theme and the motherly sentiment and reflection. I could totally see Susan's personality in this story, and I loved how it was written in the witty and charming style of her Josie series. One thing I particularly enjoyed was how the mother realized that God had somehow matured her grown children by story's end. She instilled in them the value of giving and the Lord did the work in their hearts. My two sons are almost finished with high school and they are a lot like Kevin. Her relationship with her son made me smile because it looks so similar to mine.
August 22, 2009
The Great Christmas Bowl is a cute seasonal novelette about a the mother of four children. Set in a small Minnesota town, it takes place during the youngest child's senior year in high school. It is the only year this son has played football, and just before the playoffs, the team mascot has a heart attack. She is talked into taking his place (which means wearing a trout costume). It is also the year her husband volunteers her to head the church's hospitality ministry, just before the Christmas Tea, the event that has always been done in just the same way. Of course nothing goes the way she plans, and of course, in the end everything works out for the best. The book includes a few paragraphs about Marianne's Bible study regarding hospitality and what it means, but unless you really hate religion, I don't think it is enough to turn you off to the book. This isn't the great American novel but it is a quick amusing read.
February 20, 2015
Marianne is looking forward to Christmas. All of the kids will be home under one roof. But as the day grows closer strange things begin to happen. The mascot for the high-school becomes ill, Kevin asks her to become the trout for at least one game. Marianne is nominated for hospitality chairperson by her husband Mike, her big responsibility is the Christmas Tea. The Christmas Tea was started as an outreach event, but over the years has become something that isn't very welcoming of others. Marianne does some digging in the bible to find out what be hospitable means. Her decision to change the format isn't met well and when a error changes the theme entirely she just wants to cancel and crawl in a hole. Nothing is going right. Instead of the perfect Christmas she pictures, it is becoming a lesson in humility.
A wonderful story with a surprising Christian emphasis. Didn't realize that when I decided I wanted to read this. Very pleasantly surprised and so glad I read it.
A wonderful story with a surprising Christian emphasis. Didn't realize that when I decided I wanted to read this. Very pleasantly surprised and so glad I read it.
December 30, 2014
3.5 Stars
The Great Christmas Bowl tells us about hospitality, how it is supposed to be kindness to strangers. This is a good Christmas story, especially for those who are so swamped on ministering or organizing parties (however, charitable) that they missed out on what Christmas is all about.
Feel-good story. It has a little of "too good to be true" vibe, but it's showing Christmas mood anyway. Christmas is always good. : )
---
“What is the meaning of love, anyway? Isn’t it always looking out for the good of others?”
I’m grateful to God, who plunked this story in my heart and gave me a rich life, an incredible family, and the gift of salvation. I’m so grateful that He reached out of heaven to the downtrodden, the lost, and the hungry people who didn’t know Him, to give us eternal nourishment so we will hunger no more. This, I believe, is the true meaning of hospitality.
- Susan May Warren
The Great Christmas Bowl tells us about hospitality, how it is supposed to be kindness to strangers. This is a good Christmas story, especially for those who are so swamped on ministering or organizing parties (however, charitable) that they missed out on what Christmas is all about.
Feel-good story. It has a little of "too good to be true" vibe, but it's showing Christmas mood anyway. Christmas is always good. : )
---
“What is the meaning of love, anyway? Isn’t it always looking out for the good of others?”
I’m grateful to God, who plunked this story in my heart and gave me a rich life, an incredible family, and the gift of salvation. I’m so grateful that He reached out of heaven to the downtrodden, the lost, and the hungry people who didn’t know Him, to give us eternal nourishment so we will hunger no more. This, I believe, is the true meaning of hospitality.
- Susan May Warren
December 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this Christmas story of a woman who does too much and tries to make everything perfect for her family. Marianne is facing an empty nest and comes to her son’s football team rescue as mascot (a trout) and volunteers to chair her church hospitality tea. She’s running around and forgets to decline her church chair position and the small Minnesota town is not up for the changes she is suggesting! In the end of this enjoyable tale, all works out and a new tradition is established. Faith based book that gets Marianne through the holidays.
I read this book a few years ago and kept it because I really enjoyed it. Re-read in 2019 when I realized the copy I had (probably bought at a library book sale) was originally owned by someone I now knew! Once again, I enjoyed the story set around the football season of Thanksgiving – Christmas.
I read this book a few years ago and kept it because I really enjoyed it. Re-read in 2019 when I realized the copy I had (probably bought at a library book sale) was originally owned by someone I now knew! Once again, I enjoyed the story set around the football season of Thanksgiving – Christmas.
November 17, 2009
First, I will admit, it’s a bit different than Susan’s usual style. I was delighted and surprised with this book.
Susan does a great job at making her characters come to life. There are moments I was in tears and moments I laughed out loud. It was also inspirational. I really felt like I got something out of it. The mother in me could really relate to Marianne. The emotions, the feelings of being torn about Christmas because of how it changes over the years.
Anyhow, The great Christmas Bowl does not disappoint. You’ll be enchanted with Susan's new book and fall in love with it. (I’m hoping that maybe there will be future books with her new characters??? hint hint —– if you’re reading this!)
Susan does a great job at making her characters come to life. There are moments I was in tears and moments I laughed out loud. It was also inspirational. I really felt like I got something out of it. The mother in me could really relate to Marianne. The emotions, the feelings of being torn about Christmas because of how it changes over the years.
Anyhow, The great Christmas Bowl does not disappoint. You’ll be enchanted with Susan's new book and fall in love with it. (I’m hoping that maybe there will be future books with her new characters??? hint hint —– if you’re reading this!)
December 28, 2011
Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son’s team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot—the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas tea. When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one her children tell her they can’t come home for Christmas. As life starts to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays?
October 27, 2013
The Great Christmas Bowl is the story of an almost empty-nester Mom. Her youngest child is now a senior in high school. The book takes us through the holidays as Marianne prepares for all her kids to come home for Christmas. It's a lighthearted, honest story. There are several comical incidents, and I smiled for much of the book. It's an easy read. Warren writes in a way that allows you to fall into the story from the first sentence. I recommend The Great Christmas Bowl for anyone who loves Christmas tales and all the moms out there. Give yourself a break and indulge in this delightful story!
October 31, 2009
This is a quick read to get you in the mood for Christmas. Definitely made me laugh, and surprisingly made me cry. (I've only cried in ONE other book.) 4.5 stars, and now I need to check out other books Susan May Warren has written, as this was the first I've read by her.
Edited to Add:
I really related with the character, as I'm sure most mothers will. I tend to take on more than I can handle. Always in pursuit of being Super Mom...
Edited to Add:
I really related with the character, as I'm sure most mothers will. I tend to take on more than I can handle. Always in pursuit of being Super Mom...
January 17, 2010
This story was thoroughly enjoyable, funny and heartfelt. The author made me question whether the tale was real or fiction just by the way she wrote it. The mother in the book is on the brink of having an 'empty nest' and is doing everything she can to make her sons last Christmas at home memorable. When things start to go wrong, her family pulls together and finds out the true meaning on Christmas.
February 9, 2010
This was cute fluff. I would probably have given it a bit higher rating if I had read it in November or December. Reading it in February and trying to find that leftover "Christmas Spririt" when you are deperately hoping for Spring was hard. It was good fluff.
A mom takes on being a school mascot, a church tea and planning her own family Christmas. Right when she is overwhelmed and ready to give up, the real Spirit of Christmas comes. Funny and heart warming.
A mom takes on being a school mascot, a church tea and planning her own family Christmas. Right when she is overwhelmed and ready to give up, the real Spirit of Christmas comes. Funny and heart warming.
February 20, 2010
I was dissapointed in this book. The premise was good, an almost empty nest mom in Minnesota who loves football and ends up being the high school mascot and in charge of the Christmas Tea at her church. Too bad the plot moved slowly and I never really cared much about the characters.
Thankfully, the end of the book got a bit more interested and held my attention so I could finish it up. The book only had 159 pages, so I really wanted to read the whole thing!
Thankfully, the end of the book got a bit more interested and held my attention so I could finish it up. The book only had 159 pages, so I really wanted to read the whole thing!
December 19, 2012
Once again this book was not as good as others I have read by this author. I am usually a big fan of Susan May Warren and have given all her books 4-5 stars, but this one just wasn't there for me. It got great reviews from other people, so I think it was just me! It had a lot of football references in it and I did love that, being a football fan. But the rest of it was just kinda slow. It did get better towards the end but still didn't thrill me.
Very clean - no swearing, no sex.
Very clean - no swearing, no sex.
December 18, 2010
A decent and quick feel-good book for the holidays but nothing that is going to stand out in my mind as I move on to read other books. I am not even sure where I got this book and how it came to be on my stack of books to read. I'll be listing it on bookmooch as it is not one I care to keep forever.
December 28, 2012
I enjoyed this story because there were so many stories told in such a unique way. I loved the love of the family. The mom's turmoil was so familiar. Although the story was set at Christmas time, I really think it was much more about family than Christmas and could have been set any time of year. A sweet story with lots of humor and heart.
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