Amazon UK
Title: Silent Night
Author: Wendy Clarke
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author Supplied Copy
Publisher: Cobblestone Walk Publishing
Publication Date: 10th October 2017
Rating: 4 Stars
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| Amazon UK |
'Silent Night' is a collection of thirteen Christmas stories by Wendy Clarke, a regular writer of fiction for national magazines.
All of these stories have previously been published in either ‘The People’s Friend’ or ‘Take a Break Fiction Feast’. If you like stories with emotional depth and a satisfying ending, then this collection is for you.
What Shirley Blair, Commissioning Fiction Editor for 'The People's Friend', says about the author:
'Wendy Clarke has become one of The People’s Friend’s most valued writers, offering our readers a range of themes and a level of emotional satisfaction that is rare in the short story format.'
All of these stories have previously been published in either ‘The People’s Friend’ or ‘Take a Break Fiction Feast’. If you like stories with emotional depth and a satisfying ending, then this collection is for you.
What Shirley Blair, Commissioning Fiction Editor for 'The People's Friend', says about the author:
'Wendy Clarke has become one of The People’s Friend’s most valued writers, offering our readers a range of themes and a level of emotional satisfaction that is rare in the short story format.'
I don't read that many short story collections, but this one was promising Christmas stories, so I couldn't really resist, and I'm glad I took a look inside. These are my thoughts on each story.
Project Christmas - The book story in the collection, about a father trying to make Christmas special for his children, despite them all still grieving. Its touching, and I loved the images I was getting as I read it, of this poor family. A great start to the collection.
On My Own - Bella manages to do what I imagine many people in couples wish they could do at Christmas and escape for some time on her own. I loved the descriptions of where she was staying, and really felt hopeful by the end of it.
Silent Night - Rather surprising conversation between two men who don't really know each other.
A Christmas Present Called Abbie - Up to this point its my favourite story in the compilation, I love Christmas stories when they involve young children that still believe in the magic of the season, no matter the circumstance surrounding them.
Do You Believe In Angels - A story within a story, wasn't too keen on this one at all.
A Song For Christmas - This one had my heart racing one moment and then going aww sweet and laughing the next. That being said I thought the focus between the two characters swapped so quickly at times I was confused which one I was reading.
The Memory Purse - Has a good sentiment within this story.
All I Want For Christmas - Short but sweet and brought a smile to my face really liked this story, involving a man's last minute hunt for the must have toy of the year!
Cancelling Christmas - Another enjoyable story in this collection, reminded me of Christmas With The Kranks, but on a slightly smaller scale!
The Greatest Gift - Just what is the perfect gift at Christmas,that is what David is trying to find on Christmas Eve, and I love the sentiment and what he comes up with.
Christmas Strike - Sweet little snippet of family life, showing what happens when a mother goes on strike one day!
Finding Santa - Oh I loved this one involving a family trying to fly to Tenerife for Christmas, only it doesn't quite go according to plan. There are some really sweet moments in it.
Together For Christmas - I was laughing while reading this, in recognition at how familiar a situation this must be for some people. A great last story in this collection.
So overall I really enjoyed most of the stories in Silent Night, they are a good mix and all rather festive. I think they are a great showcase to Wendy Clarke's writing talents, and I'd be interested in reading something longer from her.
Thank you to Wendy Clarke for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Project Christmas - The book story in the collection, about a father trying to make Christmas special for his children, despite them all still grieving. Its touching, and I loved the images I was getting as I read it, of this poor family. A great start to the collection.
On My Own - Bella manages to do what I imagine many people in couples wish they could do at Christmas and escape for some time on her own. I loved the descriptions of where she was staying, and really felt hopeful by the end of it.
Silent Night - Rather surprising conversation between two men who don't really know each other.
A Christmas Present Called Abbie - Up to this point its my favourite story in the compilation, I love Christmas stories when they involve young children that still believe in the magic of the season, no matter the circumstance surrounding them.
Do You Believe In Angels - A story within a story, wasn't too keen on this one at all.
A Song For Christmas - This one had my heart racing one moment and then going aww sweet and laughing the next. That being said I thought the focus between the two characters swapped so quickly at times I was confused which one I was reading.
The Memory Purse - Has a good sentiment within this story.
All I Want For Christmas - Short but sweet and brought a smile to my face really liked this story, involving a man's last minute hunt for the must have toy of the year!
Cancelling Christmas - Another enjoyable story in this collection, reminded me of Christmas With The Kranks, but on a slightly smaller scale!
The Greatest Gift - Just what is the perfect gift at Christmas,that is what David is trying to find on Christmas Eve, and I love the sentiment and what he comes up with.
Christmas Strike - Sweet little snippet of family life, showing what happens when a mother goes on strike one day!
Finding Santa - Oh I loved this one involving a family trying to fly to Tenerife for Christmas, only it doesn't quite go according to plan. There are some really sweet moments in it.
Together For Christmas - I was laughing while reading this, in recognition at how familiar a situation this must be for some people. A great last story in this collection.
So overall I really enjoyed most of the stories in Silent Night, they are a good mix and all rather festive. I think they are a great showcase to Wendy Clarke's writing talents, and I'd be interested in reading something longer from her.
Thank you to Wendy Clarke for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Thank you for reviewing my collection, Rachel. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
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