All Systems Snow

Nothing like acquiring a great anthology of Christmas stories to help with the chill coming in and pre Christmas excitement! This has something for everyone with all different types of stories depending on what mood you are in and I so oook forward to sharing this with readers.

There are eight stories in this collection, and for the most part, they are all very different from one another.

The first story is ’The Last Christmas Gift’, which was a very moving one, set on the day before Christmas, and begins on a ferry ride.
’I know this is a ride to nowhere. To nowhen, actually.’...
’I’m trying to find my way back to a place I once knew and loved. A place in which I was always assured of being both known and loved.’

’Carrie Clark’s Christmas Wish’ follows with a story of reminiscing of the days gone by, the freedom of childhood and the love of books and libraries. Her mother’s love of Santa ’”because Santa is magic. And magic is easy to love.”’ which wins her daughter over to going to visit Santa. This short story is somewhat of a prelude to the author’s The Santa Claus Agreement’ which I read recently, and loved.

Third: ’The Bell-Ringer’, a very short story of a man following his childhood dream by sharing what he loves with others, as the holidays approach.

Fourth: ’The Fairness of Life’ a moving story of a man who has already faced the loss of a loved one, and worries about the life of his daughter.

Fifth: ’Written by the Victors: A Vignette’, a story about family, a grandfather who is fighting cancer, and a grandson who shares his hopes and dreams for the future.

Sixth: ’Who We’ll Be’ a story of ‘celebrating’ the holidays over a computer during the pandemic. A grandmother trying her best to figure out ’this Zome thing’ so they could connect online, if not in person.

Seventh: ’A Window Into The Future’ The story of a best-selling author at a book signing, and a strange man who insists on having a strange and somewhat hostile conversation with him about his book.

Eighth: ’The Uncertain New Day of Harold the Raindrop’ A story with a lot of charm of the life of a raindrop waiting for his turn when the cloud announced a change of plans, letting Harold know they aren’t quite sure where he will drop. This was one of my favourites among these stories, and I really hope it will be released as a book for children.

Bonus Story ‘What Eternity Taught Eve’ A brief glimpse into the Afterlife, which is, apparently, ’bureaucratic as all hell’ despite the fact that ’there is no hell’.


Pub Date: 02 Nov 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Papillon du Père Publishing

A super collection of Christmas/holiday stories! All different, but all with similar messages of hope and healing, renewal and promise.

I meant to save this for closer to the season, but as it got colder here in the UK, I devoured this in an afternoon! A must-read for those who love uplifting seasonal stories without the forced romance and kitsch found in too many seasonal reads.

A must-read! Oh, and a couple of the stories are cleverly linked to the author's <i>excellent</i> The Santa Claus Agreement from last year—a heartwarming prequel for Carrie Clark and a fun story in rhyming prose for Harold the Raindrop, aka Frosty the Snowman.

Do NOT miss out on putting this in your seasonal stocking. You won’t be sorry!

What do you get when you add 8 engaging holiday themed stories into one volume? The perfect gift for every stocking on your mantle. Derek McFadden's ALL SYSTEMS SNOW is perfect for those Christmas fanatice who started decorating before Halloween and won't take the decorations down until spring. Full of the wonder the holidays bring and the emotions of those who find their miracles in the snow, this was an excellent read.