The Book Connection...: Christmas short stories

Monday, December 15, 2025

First Chapter Review: Christmas in Newfoundland 3: Sgt. Windflower Holiday Tales by Mike Martin

Christmas in Newfoundland 3: Sgt. Windflower Holiday Tales by Mike Martin is on tour with Pump Up Your Book. This is a collection of Christmas stories.

BLURB: Sgt. Windflower loves Christmas and we’re happy to share what he and his family and friends do at Christmastime in Grand Bank or Marystown or Ramea, Newfoundland. Some of the stories feature Windflower and Sheila’s adorable daughters and of course Eddie Tizzard and his family make several spotlight appearances. Other stories take you back to Christmas seasons of many years long past and there’s even a return of a fabulous Newfoundland tradition, the Mummers. Christmas is a time to celebrate but it is also a time to reminisce and remember. We hope that it will bring back pleasant memories for you and your family to share at Christmas and throughout the year. Come celebrate Christmas in Newfoundland with Sgt. Windflower Mysteries.

COVER: I love the colors on this cover and the Christmas scene. You see that this is a coastal area, and the snow makes it feel seasonal.

FIRST CHAPTER: Since this is a story collection, I read the entire first story. Sgt. Winston Windflower and his growing family have relocated to St. John's thanks to a new job opportunity. Having taken in young Stella after her mother passed away, in this story, she takes a liking to a new activity, which leads to a special request from Santa Claus.

KEEP READING: I've already read a couple of books in this series, so I knew what to expect. Martin delivers a charming, relatable tale of the season with "Waiting for Santa." The third-person narrator maintains a lively tone as they guide the reader through the story of a girl who is confident that her wish will be granted. Such a special story. I look forward to reading more from this collection.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FXYFHGX8
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 27, 2025
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 161 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896330

I downloaded this book through my Kindle Unlimited membership. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Short Story Review: Jingles by D.F. Jones

"Jingles" by D. F. Jones is a delightful short story filled with romance, magic, and destiny.

The quaint town of HollyHaven holds a secret so mysterious and magical that most of its residents remain unaware. But Nick, the charming but reluctant heir to the Claus legacy knows the town's beloved Christmas shop, Jingles, which is owned by his family, is the heart of Christmas magic. As he approaches his destiny, Nick learns the magic is fading, and he must race against time before it is lost forever.

When Nick meets Clara, the owner of the local cafe, he sees the key to restoring Christmas. Clara, however, is still recovering from past betrayals. As sparks fly between them, Clara is forced to confront what she has tried to avoid: belief in magic, love, and herself. Can Nick convince her to trust in the magic they share before it fades forever?

I cannot tell you how much I loved "Jingles." You know what makes a romance story even better for me is to set it during Christmas. But "Jingles" has more than just the perfect setting. It is the story of a young man, facing a huge responsibility he feels unprepared for, who is thrown an unexpected snowy curveball: the key to saving the magic of Christmas rests not only with him, but with a young woman who is determined to distance herself from everything needed to fulfill that destiny.

Jones has a keen eye for detail and description, and considering the location of the story and the season, that makes for a charming read outside of the unfolding romance. Close ties to family and community also play a role.

If you love seasonal romance, Santa Claus stories, and stories surrounding the magic of Christmas, "Jingles" is a must read.