The First Day of Christmas

by Carolyn Nash

To impress her boss, Linda Rogers eagerly volunteers to take in a foster child for the holiday season. She's well-organized in and outside the office; the addition of a child? A simple matter of blocking out the hours in her day planner and laying in a few supplies. Never mind that she's single. Never mind that she's never cared to have a lasting relationship or build a family. Housing seven-year-old Lucy Green for Christmas is simply to boost Linda up the next career step, nothing more. At least, that was the plan. But when Lucy's presence triggers long-hidden memories that challenge the carefully constructed foundation of Linda's life, will the emotions awakened by this little girl's harrowing experiences bring these two injured souls together, or tear them irrevocably apart?

Genres: Christmas

112 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2013

Reviews

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Christmas story about a work-a-holic Linda who at the attempt of pleasing her boss has decided to foster a child for the holiday season because her boss is a huge donor and has asked for help. When Linda signed up it was only as a stepping stool for her career. As she starts fostering Lucy it brings out some old hidden memories for Linda growing up. Will Lucy and Linda be able to make it?

[Jan Crossen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of this story. I have an adopted son who spent years in the foster care system. The author knows something about the trauma and issues of these innocent children. She also understands some of the emotional feelings of the adults who come to love them. Bravo.

[Maria Stokholm · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was fine, but I had expected more from it. But is a short story.
I missed the Christmas vibe.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the work of this author

I've read all the work by author Nash that I've gotten my hands on. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. And "The First Day of Christmas" is one of my top three stories of hers, along with "Raising Abel" and "The Trunk Key."

Nash has a real knack of drawing the reader into her stories. She writes of everyday people in not so ordinary circumstances. And when she writes about children, you can really tell where her heart lies.

This novella tells the story of workaholic Linda who, through a work program, decides to get her foster parent license and foster a child off and on through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The child she gets - Lucy - is badly damaged but not broken, and by fostering Lucy, Linda deals with pain from her own past.

Heartwarming, sad but a tale of courage too, Nash does what she does best - draws the reader in and makes us feel a part of her story. It sounds like a cliche but it's true. I laughed and cried and was angry and cheered during this offering. Bravo!

NOTE: I received a copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

[Chris Bush]

I really enjoy reading Carolyn Nash books her characters are very real. The main character in this one decides to take in a child for the holidays. She has a very ordered life that she can handle. She has very little connection with her family but she seems to want the contact. When things do not go as planned she comes undone. They all have their issues and you wonder where they come from and in the end you find out.

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give this 2 stars because it really isn't that special, in characters, writing, or plot, but the carry-though is nice.

It's way short though and one of those read-and-never-pick-up types, not because it isn't touching or anything, but because it's not anything special. Read if you have time, if you can borrow it.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Every single thing that happened was pretty expected.

[D. Reginald Endsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished in One Sitting

Well written dose more than most "feel good fiction " to explore a tiny bit of the damage done by abuse and denial.

[Melinda Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story is very touching. Good quick read.