Written in the Stars

by Various

A unique collection of stories from bestselling authors Angela Marsons, Rob Sinclair, Joy Ellis, Louise Beech and many more!

Written in the Stars is a festive charity anthology with short stories from a variety of authors, including international bestsellers and award-winning writers. There's something for everyone, with tales that will make you laugh, make you cry, or make you sleep with the light on. It's the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter's night.

All net profits from this anthology are in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and The Butterfly AVM Charity, who both work tirelessly to offer help to children and their families with life-threatening illnesses.

Authors include: A.A. Abbott, Angela Marsons, Beverley Harvey, Caron McKinlay, Diane Saxon, D.S. Butler, Emma Tallon, Eva Jordan, Gina Kirkham, Helen Walters, Jen Faulkner, John Harkin, Joy Ellis, Keri Beevis, Laura Stewart, Louise Beech Marrisse Whittaker, Mike Walters, Natasha Boydell, Patricia Dixon, Rob Sinclair (writing as CJ Stone), Stephen Edger and Valerie Keogh.

Genres: Short Stories

Audio CD

Published February 9, 2023

About the author

Various is the correct author for any book with multiple unknown authors, and is acceptable for books with multiple known authors, especially if not all are known or the list is very long (over 50).

If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.

Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.

Reviews

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely compilation of Christmas stories, and for a good cause too!

This anthology has 22 stories (23, if you count a bonus tale by a little ten-year-old budding writer). Each of the stories is set around Christmas but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all the stories are ‘Christmassy’. Some are joyful, some mournful, some hopeful, and some simply have Christmas in a background mention.

The genres in the stories are varied as well. I appreciate how the stories have been clubbed by genres. Thus we have:
I. A Christmas Crime – ten crime-based stories.
II. Holly Jolly Christmas – five family/romance based stories.
III. It's a Christmas Miracle – seven fantasy-based stories. (Christmas miracle… get it?)
You could just read the stories as per your mood. The crime/thriller ones don't utilise Christmas in a happy way but are quite interesting. On the other hand, the holly-jolly ones are predictable but they make the best use of the festive sprit. Each section thus has its advantage.

As a multi-author anthology, it is but obvious that there will be some hits and some misses. But I am glad to say that the hits far outnumber the misses. Most of the stories were easily three stars and above for me.

Here are my top favourites, each of which earned a 4.5+ stars:

🎄 You let me in - Keri Beevis - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (Would have given more if I could!) – The only story that made me gasp in shock! No spoilers. Just read this creepy story.

🎄 All They Want for Christmas - Valerie Keogh - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 – The only reason I docked off ½ a star is because I could see what was coming. But what an unusual take on the traditonal family Christmas story!

🎄 Coming Home - Angela Marsons - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 – It’s Angela Marsons, y’all! Should you be surprised? Yes, you should, Because this story is from the ‘Christmas Miracles’ section and not from the crimes one! It starts off innocently but soon goes into a very different angle. Loved how the perspective shifts were written.

🎄 A Little Christmas Wish - Stephen Edger - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 – I thought I knew where it was going. I didn’t quite hit it right! Amazing imagination.

🎄 A Christmas Wish - Gina Kirkham - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 – Made me cry! What a beautiful story to end the book with!

Author Tara Lyons lost her 1.5 year old daughter Sofia a couple of years ago to a brain AVM, a rare condition that doesn't manifest symptoms. In support of The Butterfly AVM Charity and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, she, along with several other authors and supported by Bloodhound books, brings to you this anthology. All net profits will be towards the two charities mentioned.

3.7 stars, based on the average of my ratings for each of the stories. Definitely and heartily recommended. You’ll be contributing to a good cause as well by opting for this anthology, but even without the cause, it is a collection worth reading as it explores so many different aspects of Christmas.

This anthology is also available on KU, but if you can, please opt to purchase it. I did.




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[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly if I can explain how the book came into being
Tara and Daniel’s little girl ( and Leo’s Sister ) Sofia passed away from a brain AVM, nobody knew she had this and of course it was devastating for everyone
It says a lot about Tara and Daniel via Bloodhound that they wanted to produce this book in memory of Sofia and to help charities ‘Great Ormond Street’ and ‘The Butterfly AVM Charity’

The book itself is a real treat of authors ranging from some of my fav to some I have never read anything by….all stories had the theme link of Christmas, some were scary, some heart warming, some humorous but all very different
I did have a favourite but of course wont mention it but it had me chilled and made me shiver and also found one quite emotive and one made me realise I will never eat a mince pie again without thinking of it!
A really good broad ranging set of stories, every one enjoyable and together made a brilliant read
I can only encourage you to buy this book to help the charities and give Sofia’s family some comfort and support

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel made up of short stories that are mainly crime and general fiction and written by authors of who some I have read before, others being new to me. The proceeds from it are to be split between two well deserving charities and the book is dedicated to a very special little girl.

As with any short story collection, I love that you are able to dip in and out of it. It’s great if you are short for time but like to be able to start and finish something in what time you do have. Of course you may want to binge read them all in one go! I find with anthologies, some stories will standout and stay with me more than others. Below are some of personal favourites:

The Family Tree by Joy Ellis

You Let Me In by Keri Beevis

The Robin’s Call by Beverley Harvey

Coming Home by Angela Marsons

Seventeen Minutes by Emma Tallon

A Christmas Wish by Gina Kirkham

As I say, these are just a few, there are many more great stories in this book. A Christmas Wish especially had me filling up and reaching for the tissues. Whilst there is a lot of crime, as the stories are all set at Christmas time the most festive time of the year, you still get a sense of what the true meaning of Christmas is and although some stories gave me plenty of thrills, others were heart-warming and uplifting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories and can highly recommend Written in the Stars!

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in the stars gets a 5 Star rating from me. I loved every story, that has been put together from all these fellow authors in aid of the charities The butterfly AVM and Great Ormond Street childrens hospital. There's a little something for everyone, full of the magic of Christmas
I read all these stories as a bedtime read, and the author's out of the goodness of their hearts along with their talent of writing delivered to their readers, I just did not have a favourite they are all exceptional on their own. Well done to all the team involved a well worth cause.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely loved this book. I really enjoy an anthology read occasionally and this was a good one. Raising funds for two charities that help support children with life threatening illness and families - Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and The Butterfly AVM Charity. All the stories have a Christmas theme, although not always a happy Christmas!

Just to give you a quick synopsis we have - a modern day Robin Hood, an amnesiac Santa Claus, Christmas lights, murders, ghosts, Christmas trees and family trees and so much more… something for everyone and a special surprise at the end of the book.

I can’t pick a favourite as they are all good in their own way but I can say that a number of them made my eyes leak and believe me that doesn’t happen a lot. This was just a wonderful uplifting book, even the sad stories weren’t, if that makes sense!
This would make a great Christmas present and you would be supporting charity too. Win win.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of stories by some great authors. There is something for everyone. They will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and other will make you laugh. You will find some favorites and some new authors as well. I enjoyed reach story. They are engaging, hard to put down stories that you don't want to miss. I highly recomend this book.

[Kirstie Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories from a range of popular authors all in aid of charity.
They are all Christmas related but luckily I am one of those that can happily read Christmas stories all year around!
So many different styles of books so something for everyone - and it's all in aid of charity.
Would recommend

[Samantha Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable collection of short stories.

[Jacqueline Moxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very moved to read about the reason for producing this book, and the sad story of the little girl who died from a brain AVM. This really resonated with me, as, just a year ago, I was diagnosed with an AVM, in my case a dAVF. I had to stop driving and was warned of the very real risks of a stroke or brain haemorrhage. As these malformations are rare, little is written about them, and I felt as if I was floundering in the dark as I awaited treatment. I believe that I have been very fortunate, as a six hour operation in September has, hopefully, cured me. Anyway, the book is wonderful, with a great variety of different stories. I don’t normally enjoy short stories, but this is an excellent collection and absolutely perfect to read over the Christmas season, when we avid readers have to snatch stolen moments to indulge our passion. Highly recommended

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was supposed to be my Christmas read 📚.
But I missed Christmas I was so ill I missed for the first time in my life the festivities and a few days after 😭.
So I read this just now and I loved it. Some cracking stories in there from some of my favourite authors but also some of that I didn't know about but definitely will check out, oh and let's not forget it's for a superb charity 📚💖👌⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shaz Mcdill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a book of short stories and I really enjoyed it my favourites were The fairy tale of Maura and Finn by Patricia Dixon and I absolutely loved Seventeen minutes by Emma Tallon I know its short stories but I really wish that one could have been longer a full book longer

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic collection of Christmas themed stories for a great cause. 23 short stories and every one is fantastic. My favourites were Maude (about a little old lady) Fairytale of Maura & Finn (Fairytale of new York style) and Going Home (caught me right in the feels). All proceeds go to Great Ormand Street Hospital Charity &
The Butterfly AVM Charity.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in the Stars: A Charity Anthology

Written in the Stars : A Charity Anthology was a delightful read and had contributions from many authors I have read before. All of the stories were entertaining but the very last one was my favourite.
Highly recommended

[Karen Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did love this collection of short stories, some authors were new to me, some familiar.

All set round Christmas time, nice and easy to read, some left you wanting more of the story, some nicely tied up.

Even better the proceeds go to charity.

[CeeCee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of short Christmas stories. Easy to read all that little bit different. Some sad, some uplifting, some spooky, some thrilling. But every one enjoyable.
A great cause too.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good short story, and to have 23 in one book was a real treat; very mixed bag, some Christmassy, some murder, some hope...
My favourite stories were those by Keri Beevis, Valerie Keogh and Emma Tallon.
An easy read, made better by knowing profits go to some great charities.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful charity anthology with Christmas based short stories, written by a variety of incredible authors! There are thrillers, mysteries, comedy. I honestly loved every single story as they were all fantastic! I thank Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book!

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these short stories, a good mix of genres, some by well known authors and some by those less well known.
However I think the highest praise goes to the last story in the book!

[Ann Serridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Christmas read

Lovely stories all with unexpected twists and turns - highly recommended. Wonderful to support a worthy charity too - well done to all contributors.

[Beverly Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the Stars

I enjoyed the stories in this book. Some were kinda creepy, and some were special. Glad the money goes to charity

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of charity short stories, rather hit and miss.

[Emma Bevan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book raises money for Great Ormond Street so is worth buying for that alone! Plus who doesn't want Christmas stories to help you get in the mood?. Good bit of fun.

[Jovdb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of short stories centred around Christmas. Many of the authors I didn’t know; I read this book as it came up when I searched for Angela Marsons, one of my favourite authors!

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of short stories with a Festive setting to dip in and out of, written by some of our favourite authors and also helping 2 worthwhile charities.... what's not to like? I think there would be something for everyone in here. A highly recommended curling up beside the Christmas fireside with the festive tipple of your choice book. Enjoy!

[Sandra Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes out October 17, 2022, the paperback is available. This is anthologies of story from authors that are best known for their mysteries books. The authors are A.A abbott, Alex & Helen Walters, Caron McKinlay, D. S. Butler, Jen Faulkner, Joy Ellis, Keri Beevis, Marrisse Whittaker, Rob Sinclair (as writing as CJ Stone), Valerie Keogh, Beverley Harvey, John Harkin, Laura Stewart, Natasha Boydell, Patricia Dixon, Angela Marsons, Diane Saxon, Emma Tallon, Eva Jordan, Louise Beech, Stephen Edger, Gina Kirkham, Lily Duncan and more. The organization all the net profits for these short stories with Christmas themes donations to two major charities Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Hospital Charity, and The Butterfly AVM Charity. in the loving memory of Sofia Lyon passed away unexpectedly due to AVM- a brain arteriovenous malformation, in 2020 Sofia Lyon would have been three, she was gone at one and half years of life. She is not forgotten. I kindly ask you to buy a copy of this delightful, interesting, and compelling book with so many great plots and twist and each one is different, with each other unique style of writing, and creativity. So many stories short story by each famous authors.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not usually a fan of short stories however this one appealed to me on many levels and I certainly wasn't disappointed. All feature a Christmas theme - some crime based, some spooky but all with great characters and written by great authors. A special mention has to go to the last story in the book as its author is only 10 years old and if this is anything to go by, she has a great future in story telling!! Over and above all this, is the fact too that the book was written to raise funds for a very worthwhile charity.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most beautiful anthology of short stories and each one individual in its own way. They was a mixture of psychological thrillers and murders and also heartwarming reads with the theme of Christmas running throughout.

It was lovely to find some new authors whose books I will look out for in the future after reading this anthology and also also to see a lot of my favourite authors in here.

This is such a fabulous collection of stories and something for everyone and for such a good cause too. Highly recommend this to everyone.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved each and every story in this beautiful Anthology..brought together by Tara Lyons and all her author friends for a very worthy cause .All profits from this book are going to St Ormond Street and The Butterfly AVM ...in memory of Sofia, Tara's little girl taken on God's wings ..With a Christmassy theme throughout , some of the stories were hilarious ..a couple of creepy ones ...and some that made me cry ..My stars go to each and every author ...Written in The Stars will make you believe in the magic of Christmas and the beauty of life .....Just Beautiful ...♥️
..

[Rebecca Charlesworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all the proceeds from this book are helping two charities, what more reason do you need to buy it.

A great collection of short stories centred around Christmas, some stories are sinister and some stories are sweet, but all enjoyable. Plenty of popular authors I have previously read have contributed to this great book and I’ve also come across a few I’ve not heard of so will be adding them to my list.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in the stars anthology.
Written in the Stars is a festive charity anthology with short stories from a variety of authors, including international bestsellers and award-winning writers. There’s something for everyone, with tales that will make you laugh, make you cry, or make you sleep with the light on. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter’s night.
A brilliant read of different stories by different authors. 5*.