A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida: A Short Novel of Redemption

Two Egg, Florida

by Dale Cox

Old Ben lived on the outskirts of the strangely named Florida community of Two Egg and, to tell the truth, his life was not going so well. Alone and forgotten, Ben was in need of redemption, but he never imagined the way it would come. Christmas in Two Egg, Florida is the first novel from noted Southern writer and historian Dale Cox and spins the unexpected story of a forgotten man, Confederate gold, a place called Two Egg and an unlikely Christmas visitor. Set in the days of the Great Depression, but timeless in the story it tells, the book is the story of a man, his neighbors and the day God answered their prayers.

Genres: Christmas, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories, Christian, Historical Fiction, Historical

98 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2010

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book met me where I am right now. Short and simple, yet deep and a read I took my time with. It hit home in many places. I needed this story now. The ending was a tad too treacly for my taste, hence not the full five stars, but it fits the storyline.

4, I needed this now, stars.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas in Two Eggs, Florida tells of an old man named Ben, his depression and lost spirit after the death of his wife and son within months of each other. A stranger comes to his farm on Christmas Eve and delivers a message that changes Ben and the entire community. It is a fictional story but an uplifting one.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very inspiring story of an old man who had lost his wife to the Spanish Flu and his son in World War I. He had lost his way and it took a stranger to bring joy back to himself and to those struggling in his community at Christmas.

[Marcia Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story

This short story was interesting. It is the story of a bitter old man who is visited by an angel who changes his point of view about his life and the events that have happened to him.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two egg, Florida

It was cute fanciful short story. It was laced with some true facts like, the towns name and location and more.

[Amber Dawn]

Well-written but preachy

It wad well written but I feel like the entire time I was being preached to. And Gabriel showing up when he did was so random.

[Janette Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, "Two Egg, Florida" is a real place. It is is a small unincorporated community in Jackson County, Florida. The year is 1938. Ben Harper is the richest man in Two Egg. In 1918, Ben had lost his wife to the Spanish Flu. Later that year, Ben received a letter saying that his only son had been killed in World War I.

Ben had been angry at God for the past 20 years. He had not planted his fields or taken care of his property. The times were hard and many of his neighbors were on the verge of starvation. Old Ben had the resources to help, but he had become bitter and isolated as the years passed.

It was Christmas Eve in Two Egg and a rare December snow was covering the Florida countryside. A stranger appeared at Ben's door and identified himself as "Gabriel". The unexpected stranger helped Ben escape from the prison of his own suffering and enter the beautiful world of God's creation.

It was a miraculous Christmas morning in Two Egg, Florida. Ben was able to use his resources to bring happiness and joy to every person in town. God intervened in Ben's life through the person of a mysterious stranger.

This is a very touching, "two-tissue" story that will help you understand the real meaning of Christmas. The author is a historian and shares many facts from history in this fictional story. He explains how "Two Egg" got it's name, he provides facts about the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918, he gives details about the Spanish-American War in Cuba and he provides information about the fighting in Europe during World War I.

This is a story of redemption. This book reminds me of a classic story about another bitter old man; "The Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Christmas is truly a time of miracles. I highly recommend "A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida".

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmas in Two Egg, Florida by Dale Cox s a novella about redemption. It follows the story of Ben, a recluse. He fought in Cuba in 1898. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were there but despite what they said, Roosevelt came into the skirmish after the Battle of San Juan Hill. Ben knew the facts. He also got malaria and almost died. In 1918 rumors flew of the Spanish Influenza.Ben didn't recognize the threat it would be. He was joking with his wife and went out to the barn to do some work. When he drew near the house at suppertime he didn't smell anything. He fund his wife slumped over the chair burning with fever. She died store the doctor could arrive. He got bitter and pinned his hope on his son. The war was winding down when he got notified his son was killed in action. They buried him there where he fell, the day before the Armistice. Ben shut himself get cutoff from the community. He ignored his farm. He was the only person who had any money during the great depression because of his hidden horde os $20 gold pieces. Then he meets Gabriel during the middle of a snowstorm in Florida. How is Ben redeemed? Read this charming story and discover for yourself.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know I believe that the most wondrous things come from the most unexpected places. This story is so filled with a message that is sorely needed this day and time. We are desperately filled with a rage over the political times this country is going through. If we could fill the people involved with message contain herein, what would happen? Guess there is only one that could answer that and it would have to come from the messenger Gabriel again. Let us all pray that this will happen.

I loved this beautiful story, it filled me with a peace that I had forgotten. This is a strong message with a cast that will take your breath away and tears to fill your eyes. Join me in spreading it to the ones that need it most. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

[MK · Rating 3 out of 5]

My ranking rules:
5-star (*****) EXCEPTIONAL: Faultless; awe-inspiring; humbling; a good ambassador for the genre, deserving broad readership; potentially a classic of the genre.
4-star (****) EXCELLENT: Highly recommended; difficult to fault; completely satisfying.
3-star (***) GOOD: A really good read and thoroughly enjoyable; time well spent; minor and few misgivings.
2-star (**) OK: Unlikely to inspire or to offend; ultimately doesn't measure up to the broader body of work in the genre, and therefore may disappoint.
1-star (*) POOR: Life-shortening, ineffective, rife with error and a waste of ink (whether on physical- or e-paper).

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Ben a man who has become so worn down and embittered by the difficulties of his life that he has lost not his belief in God, but his faith in God's willingness to intervene positively in his life. On Christmas Eve during the Great Depressions, Ben is visited by a strange man who will change the direction of his life forever.

This historical novella which is a very short read is the first work by Dale Cox; and for me, it will become a classic Christmas tale of the miracle and redemption of the spirit of Christmas.

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Egg is a real town near Tallahassee, and this story is told during the Great Depression of 1938. Ben Harper is the richest man in town but you would never know it because he is devastated (still) by the loss of his wife and son 20 years ago. Instead of being visited by a ghost, as Scrooge was, Ben is visited by the Archangel Gabriel and finally finds the peace that has eluded him for the last 20 years.

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story, displaying God's kindness towards us as undeserving humans.

Dale Cox has written a charming account of Old Ben who keeps to himself, and yet he has more to give than he knows yet. In the midst of the dreary years of the Great Depression in the forgotten town of Two Egg, Florida, miracles can still happen. This is a Christmas story of how God changes the heart of one man, and how it benefits many of God's people.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this book overall. It is short at 71 pages, but was a good read for the Christmas season. I did feel it sort of lost it's way about 2/3 into it but that was only temporary. Overall, it was enjoyable.

[Sue Schad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas story for all year

It is rare that I find a story that I can't put down. This was a lovely story that pulled you into wanting to know how it would end. I wish I had known about this story when my children were younger, I would have read it to them during advent.

[Skeeter Jorgensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very odd book, but I finished it.

[Kaylynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story that I enjoyed. It was a quick read about a man who has a change of heart on Christmas Eve.

[Carol Hoffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not impressed with story content.

[CarolynB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and inspirational story; the first fiction book written by Dale Cox. It's a short read, but a good one.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, heartwarming Christmas short story.

[Cheryl Battisti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice story. Looked up Two Egg and read a bit of it's history. I enjoy a story that has some truth in the background.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very short story about a bitter old man whose mysterious visitor helps him restore his faith. A quick and enjoyable Christmas story.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very worth the few hours of reading time. Should become a traditional read for many of us at this time of year. As the author wrote: "...what if ...?".

[Vicki Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT STORY OF A SECOND CHANCE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An imaginative tale of what happened to an old man in Two Egg, Florida.

[Diana Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice christmas story.

[Ceashark · Rating 5 out of 5]

great little cristian read

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story. The angel Gabriel saves the day.

[Betty Macy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little Christmas Story set in reality with a common Christmas redemption theme.