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An Avalon Christmas
Librarian Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B00GFRJSGO.
Welcome to Avalon, IL. Quaint, charming, idyllic. A beautiful small river town that tourists love to visit and residents are proud to call home. Take a stroll down the flower-lined streets bubbling with old-time, classic charm or peek into any of the stores that make the local merchants proud: find a favorite book at the Book Nook, browse the selection of local wares at Avalon Gifts 'N More, or stop by Madeline's tea salons for scones and a hot cup of Darjeeling. Avalon is a place that you could stay for a while for no reason other than being there.
But it's the 4,243 residents that set Avalon apart from everywhere else in the world. Characters of all sorts abound, from the friendly and hospitable innkeeper to the gossipy gal living next door to the crotchety old geezer down the street. A colorful palate of individuals give Avalon its heart, and when push comes to shove, this motley crew shows up for each other as friends, neighbors and family in the least expected ways.
Avalon. Quaint, charming, idyllic. Or is it? Is it truly as perfect as it sounds? This Christmas a secret hides around every corner. Who's giving away free turkeys to every house in town? What is this mystery homeless man up to when he offers free gift-wrapping in front of the town's most popular gift shop? Is the annual town fundraiser raffle grand prize (one full year of rent or mortgage paid!) a hoax or the real deal? Can a broken relationship between brothers be healed or can unexpected love bloom between the unlikeliest of couples? What happens when mystery gifts of generosity start showing up around town during the holidays and how do they change the lives of those who need them the most but expect them the least?
Written with heart, wit and humor, An Avalon Christmas is filled with twelve heartwarming stories of hope and cheer that make every day Christmas, bringing laughter and tears to readers this holiday season.
For a glimpse into the town of Avalon and its residents, scroll up and take a look inside.
BONUS: This special ebook edition includes recipes, a reader's guide, and an excerpt from Gee's next Avalon title, An Avalon Valentine, available in 2015.
Welcome to Avalon, IL. Quaint, charming, idyllic. A beautiful small river town that tourists love to visit and residents are proud to call home. Take a stroll down the flower-lined streets bubbling with old-time, classic charm or peek into any of the stores that make the local merchants proud: find a favorite book at the Book Nook, browse the selection of local wares at Avalon Gifts 'N More, or stop by Madeline's tea salons for scones and a hot cup of Darjeeling. Avalon is a place that you could stay for a while for no reason other than being there.
But it's the 4,243 residents that set Avalon apart from everywhere else in the world. Characters of all sorts abound, from the friendly and hospitable innkeeper to the gossipy gal living next door to the crotchety old geezer down the street. A colorful palate of individuals give Avalon its heart, and when push comes to shove, this motley crew shows up for each other as friends, neighbors and family in the least expected ways.
Avalon. Quaint, charming, idyllic. Or is it? Is it truly as perfect as it sounds? This Christmas a secret hides around every corner. Who's giving away free turkeys to every house in town? What is this mystery homeless man up to when he offers free gift-wrapping in front of the town's most popular gift shop? Is the annual town fundraiser raffle grand prize (one full year of rent or mortgage paid!) a hoax or the real deal? Can a broken relationship between brothers be healed or can unexpected love bloom between the unlikeliest of couples? What happens when mystery gifts of generosity start showing up around town during the holidays and how do they change the lives of those who need them the most but expect them the least?
Written with heart, wit and humor, An Avalon Christmas is filled with twelve heartwarming stories of hope and cheer that make every day Christmas, bringing laughter and tears to readers this holiday season.
For a glimpse into the town of Avalon and its residents, scroll up and take a look inside.
BONUS: This special ebook edition includes recipes, a reader's guide, and an excerpt from Gee's next Avalon title, An Avalon Valentine, available in 2015.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2013
83 people are currently reading
562 people want to read
About the author
Darien Gee
12 books280 followersDarien Gee lives with her husband and three children in Hawaii. She is the author of Friendship Bread: A Novel, The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society and An Avalon Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 26, 2020
If you are looking for a sweet Christmas read that is clean and contemporary, then An Avalon Christmas by Darien Gee is the read for you. This book is a collection of short tales that feature several people who live in the smalltown of Avalon and how they experience Christmas time whether it be in a rest home, at the supermarket in line for a turkey/ham or buying raffle tickets. This book filled me with happiness and glee as you could feel the Christmas spirit and joy radiating from the pages as the whole town comes together for one another. If you love recipes and food, then you will also love An Avalon Christmas as it features several recipes, and people's favorites/ family secret meals sprinkled throughout the various stories. There is something for everyone in this Christmas collection - An Avalon Christmas by Darien Gee. Reading this, it made me want to live in a town like Avalon as these days in most communities, especially the bigger cities - you have lost that smalltown - everyone knows everyone and is connected feel.
January 1, 2015
This collection of short stories take place in the fictional town of Avalon, Illinois. More character than plot driven, they are a beautiful and heartwarming stories. The stories are connected not only by being set in the same town, but some characters are in more than one story, and events are often referenced that took place in previous stories.
The author's writing style reminds me of the stories by Fannie Flagg. The characters are authentic, and as soon as I finished one story, I couldn't wait to read the next one. This a good book to curl up with on a cold night with a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea.
The stories really make you feel the true spirit of the Christmas season without being religious or preachy.
The author's writing style reminds me of the stories by Fannie Flagg. The characters are authentic, and as soon as I finished one story, I couldn't wait to read the next one. This a good book to curl up with on a cold night with a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea.
The stories really make you feel the true spirit of the Christmas season without being religious or preachy.
December 13, 2017
This heart-warming story collection portrays the spirit of Christmas as displayed by the residents of Avalon, Illinois. Some stories are more interesting than others. Characters occasionally reappear in other stories. Most of the stories mention Harmony Homes, a facility for seniors which appears to include both independent living and assisted-living portions. This collection puts the reader in the Christmas spirit. Several recipes, including the Amish Friendship Bread and variations mentioned in the text, appear following the final story.
January 6, 2016
Disheartened to say that though I liked Darien Gee's latest novel (Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society) taking place in Avalon I didn't really love it. If you have previously read "Friendship Bread" and "Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society" besides a mention and some actually sightings you don't get to follow up with characters from the previous novel that much.
I on the other hand ended up loving mostly all of the 12 short stories included in this novella. I generally do like most Christmas themed books. There were only two stories that I found to be sad and not uplifting (Chapter 6: Late Bloomers and Chapter 8: And We're Wassailing) but found that besides those two that I loved the other stories.
Ms. Gee does keep a narrative thread working through all of the stories about an anonymous donor and we do revisit characters that appeared in the first story and then the last. I hope in her next Avalon novel that Ms. Gee revisits some of the characters like Mary and Daryl who appeared in Chapter 1 and 12.
Ms. Gee includes recipes and also provides details on how to make friendship bread. I do have plans on making some this holiday season since the recipe looks to be very easy.
I recommend to those fans who want to catch up with the town of Avalon.
I on the other hand ended up loving mostly all of the 12 short stories included in this novella. I generally do like most Christmas themed books. There were only two stories that I found to be sad and not uplifting (Chapter 6: Late Bloomers and Chapter 8: And We're Wassailing) but found that besides those two that I loved the other stories.
Ms. Gee does keep a narrative thread working through all of the stories about an anonymous donor and we do revisit characters that appeared in the first story and then the last. I hope in her next Avalon novel that Ms. Gee revisits some of the characters like Mary and Daryl who appeared in Chapter 1 and 12.
Ms. Gee includes recipes and also provides details on how to make friendship bread. I do have plans on making some this holiday season since the recipe looks to be very easy.
I recommend to those fans who want to catch up with the town of Avalon.
November 6, 2017
I really love all of Darien Gee's books as I feel when I read them, I am actually in Avalon, a warm and friendly town that treats everyone as their own. This book was just like the rest that I have read, with a compilation of various Christmas stories, all taking place in Avalon. Some of the characters are repeated throughout the stories however, most of them are newly introduced, with scenarios that depict the beauty of Christmas. As I was reading the stories, many of them I was able to picture in my mind, which made me both happy and satisfied; that is how I am able to tell how good a book is. If I can picture the plot as I'm reading, then the author did a great job of describing exactly as they should. A wonderful collection which makes you warm up to the holiday season; highly-recommended!
December 26, 2018
Darien Gee is one of my absolute favorites. Nothing complicated, just feel-good uplit. I so wish she were still writing!
An Avalon Christmas takes place in the fictional town of Avalon, Illinois. Each chapter tells its own story with characters making appearances in more than one story. For example, in the first chapter, the residents of the local retirement home get Christmas presents tailored just for them, and some of them cost a pretty penny. Who was responsible for this generous offering? We find out in a later chapter.
Heartwarming, cozy, hopeful. Just what you want at Christmas.
An Avalon Christmas takes place in the fictional town of Avalon, Illinois. Each chapter tells its own story with characters making appearances in more than one story. For example, in the first chapter, the residents of the local retirement home get Christmas presents tailored just for them, and some of them cost a pretty penny. Who was responsible for this generous offering? We find out in a later chapter.
Heartwarming, cozy, hopeful. Just what you want at Christmas.
June 22, 2017
I absolutely adore the Friendship Bread series. When I read one, not only am I transported to Avalon but I become part of the community. Because Christmas in Avalon is a series of vignettes, only being tied together in the last one, I didn't feel as connected. Instead of becoming an Avolonian, I was an outsider looking in instead of being included. I would have much preferred one complete story and I am anxiously awaiting another wonderful novel that will turn me into an Avolonian.
December 1, 2017
Delightful Christmas Stories
This book is a delightful set of short stories around a Christmas theme. I want to move to the town of Avalon! I loved each story and the characters of the town. Just a nice quick read for the holiday season.
This book is a delightful set of short stories around a Christmas theme. I want to move to the town of Avalon! I loved each story and the characters of the town. Just a nice quick read for the holiday season.
November 18, 2021
This was not what I was expecting, but it turned out to be a nice cozy read all the same. It is a series of short stories, that in the end kind of all come together, all people living in Avalon. It is a heartwarming Christmas read with recipes at the end!
October 18, 2022
This was an adorable book filled with short stories all centered on Christmas. Some more believable than other, but all make you smile as you read them. There's a little something for everyone in this book. 🙂
January 9, 2018
These were all heartwarming Christmas stories about friendship, family, and connection -- All of my favorite topics!
November 20, 2019
Nowhere near as good as the first Avalon book, but still pleasant enough. Just a book of short stories with happy endings. Cheerful holiday fluff.
November 25, 2020
very enjoyable
November 29, 2020
I'd forgotten how sweet Gee's stories are. This novella read a bit like short stories - the Christmastime happenings in Avalon. It had all the warmth and cozy Christmas vibes I was in the mood for.
November 4, 2021
A sweet collection of holiday stories.
January 3, 2022
Delightful
I really liked this book. Such friendly people in a small town. All of Darien's books are really good. And the bread is good two.
I really liked this book. Such friendly people in a small town. All of Darien's books are really good. And the bread is good two.
Read
December 28, 2022An Avalon Christmas
This book started out good and then things changed it be boring and hard to follow so i stopped reading
This book started out good and then things changed it be boring and hard to follow so i stopped reading
January 30, 2023
Darien's stories ate addictive
I can't put her books down in the middle of a story and then later, cannot wait to begin the next one!
I can't put her books down in the middle of a story and then later, cannot wait to begin the next one!
November 10, 2025
3.5 stars
January 6, 2023
This is a collection of short stories all taking place in the fictional town of Avalon. The stories are set around a Christmas theme. Heartwarming and at times humorous, I loved reading all of them.
December 27, 2022
These were delightful stories set in a small town community. Some characters interconnected to give a community feel to the collection. The moral of each tale was presented in a way that was not overbearing, simply human realization. Good seasonal read.
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July 21, 2014For fans of Friendship Bread and The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society comes a delightful collection of stories that will put a smile on your face this holiday season.
The holidays have finally arrived in Avalon, Illinois and everyone is filled with festive cheer. Well, maybe not everyone ...
The husbands of Avalon have started a Bah Humbug Club. A neighborhood cookie exchange wreaks havoc on Erin Meeks' carefully planned life. Melvin O'Malley's daughter has abandoned him for the holidays in a senior facility, and shop owner Margot West is intent on creating the best holiday shopping experience for her customers when a stranger threatens to ruin it.
But a few surprises await them as well--an anonymous donor is giving away free turkeys at the Pick and Save, and there's an air of mystery surrounding a generous raffle prize for the upcoming Christmas Bazaar. And when it looks like Santa might be a no show, someone unexpected steps into his boots.
Celebrate the season with 12 heartwarming stories of hope and cheer that continue the spirit of Gee's first two novels, Friendship Bread and The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society. Includes recipes
This is a book of 12 short stories, all centred around the town of Avalon. Most of the people have been living in the town for years, and not everyone is looking forward to the Christmas holidays. Some are feeling lonely as they have lost their loved ones, some are losing their business or their homes, whilst others try to see the best in the holidays.
The stories have a loose link with each other and the reader ends up back where they started with the Senior Centre and the inhabitants there in.
The stories are not too “twee” – there is a positive feeling at the end of each story, even if the overall situations are not the most positive.
There are recipes at the end of the book, including a sough dough starter for sharing with others, and for which I will keep this ebook for reference later!
These are not the most indepth set of stories: there is enough character development of the relevant people in each story, but these are short stories so that is appropriate – you get a decent enough indication of the people involved and what happens why. This is a nice light read for a busy time of year
The holidays have finally arrived in Avalon, Illinois and everyone is filled with festive cheer. Well, maybe not everyone ...
The husbands of Avalon have started a Bah Humbug Club. A neighborhood cookie exchange wreaks havoc on Erin Meeks' carefully planned life. Melvin O'Malley's daughter has abandoned him for the holidays in a senior facility, and shop owner Margot West is intent on creating the best holiday shopping experience for her customers when a stranger threatens to ruin it.
But a few surprises await them as well--an anonymous donor is giving away free turkeys at the Pick and Save, and there's an air of mystery surrounding a generous raffle prize for the upcoming Christmas Bazaar. And when it looks like Santa might be a no show, someone unexpected steps into his boots.
Celebrate the season with 12 heartwarming stories of hope and cheer that continue the spirit of Gee's first two novels, Friendship Bread and The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society. Includes recipes
This is a book of 12 short stories, all centred around the town of Avalon. Most of the people have been living in the town for years, and not everyone is looking forward to the Christmas holidays. Some are feeling lonely as they have lost their loved ones, some are losing their business or their homes, whilst others try to see the best in the holidays.
The stories have a loose link with each other and the reader ends up back where they started with the Senior Centre and the inhabitants there in.
The stories are not too “twee” – there is a positive feeling at the end of each story, even if the overall situations are not the most positive.
There are recipes at the end of the book, including a sough dough starter for sharing with others, and for which I will keep this ebook for reference later!
These are not the most indepth set of stories: there is enough character development of the relevant people in each story, but these are short stories so that is appropriate – you get a decent enough indication of the people involved and what happens why. This is a nice light read for a busy time of year
January 17, 2016
Title: An Avalon Christmas
Author: Darien Gee
Published: D.G.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"An Avalon Christmas" by Darien Gee was a wonderful collection of short stories that took place in Avalon, Illinois. You will find from the read that this is a wonderful town to live in especially during the Christmas holiday season. These stories are of individuals lives and their dealings with the community during 'Christmas, a senior facility, anonymous giving and the Bah Humbug Club.' This author did a wonderful job with giving the reader a read that will lift your spirits of the Christmas holiday. Many of the stories brought tears along with some plenty of laughter. I think my favorite was the Bah Humbug story and I would truly recommend you pick up "A Avalon Christmas" to find out which one you like the best. I would recommend these stories because they are all beautifully written and these stories will be found so very heartwarming. So, with that being said I would recommend you to sit down and read about this special town in Avalon, Illinois.
Author: Darien Gee
Published: D.G.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"An Avalon Christmas" by Darien Gee was a wonderful collection of short stories that took place in Avalon, Illinois. You will find from the read that this is a wonderful town to live in especially during the Christmas holiday season. These stories are of individuals lives and their dealings with the community during 'Christmas, a senior facility, anonymous giving and the Bah Humbug Club.' This author did a wonderful job with giving the reader a read that will lift your spirits of the Christmas holiday. Many of the stories brought tears along with some plenty of laughter. I think my favorite was the Bah Humbug story and I would truly recommend you pick up "A Avalon Christmas" to find out which one you like the best. I would recommend these stories because they are all beautifully written and these stories will be found so very heartwarming. So, with that being said I would recommend you to sit down and read about this special town in Avalon, Illinois.
December 15, 2014
Full of Christmas spirit.
Well written, clever, and heartwarming stories that will anyone with the spirit of Christmas. I know. I've been down in the dumps having moved with my family to another Country. Even though Christmas is 10 days away it felt like a hundred to me. I decided to take a chance on this book, as I was looking for something that might make me feel more in to the holidays. I was less than 1/2 way through when I felt my heart warm like the Grinch's.
The Author mentions Maeve Binchy in one of her stories and truth be told, and I don't say this lightly because Maeve Binchy is my all time favorite author, Darien Gee has a little of Maeve Binchy's style in her work.
Well written, clever, and heartwarming stories that will anyone with the spirit of Christmas. I know. I've been down in the dumps having moved with my family to another Country. Even though Christmas is 10 days away it felt like a hundred to me. I decided to take a chance on this book, as I was looking for something that might make me feel more in to the holidays. I was less than 1/2 way through when I felt my heart warm like the Grinch's.
The Author mentions Maeve Binchy in one of her stories and truth be told, and I don't say this lightly because Maeve Binchy is my all time favorite author, Darien Gee has a little of Maeve Binchy's style in her work.
December 25, 2015
Wonderful!!!!
Love this book of short stories centered around the small community of Avalon. The characters are believable and so are the stories. You have Secret Santa. The Bah Humbug club, Neighbors helping each other, the Harmony Seniors, etc Avalon is a very friendly place with a variety of characters. I smiled, laughed, cried reading these stories. I do have a couple more stories to read but wanted to leave my review. This is a great Christmas read I will be enjoying it again next Christmas for sure. Highly recommended.
Love this book of short stories centered around the small community of Avalon. The characters are believable and so are the stories. You have Secret Santa. The Bah Humbug club, Neighbors helping each other, the Harmony Seniors, etc Avalon is a very friendly place with a variety of characters. I smiled, laughed, cried reading these stories. I do have a couple more stories to read but wanted to leave my review. This is a great Christmas read I will be enjoying it again next Christmas for sure. Highly recommended.
Read
December 28, 2013A Christmas Glimpse into Homes and Businesses in Avalon
Avalon is everyone's favorite town. Here the spirit of giving and love comes alive. The author does a wonderful job of telling Avalon's stories in the form of chapter long short stories that reveal the lives and connectedness that are known as community. In the last chapter an ending is written to the first chapter which is a satisfying end to a well written tale that embodies the Christmas spirit.
Avalon is everyone's favorite town. Here the spirit of giving and love comes alive. The author does a wonderful job of telling Avalon's stories in the form of chapter long short stories that reveal the lives and connectedness that are known as community. In the last chapter an ending is written to the first chapter which is a satisfying end to a well written tale that embodies the Christmas spirit.
February 2, 2015
Downloaded onto my laptop ages ago, but finally read on my new ipad :-) I had enjoyed the author's Friendship Bread (and enjoy the bread itself!) This read a lot like a short story collection, about the lives of everyone in a small town in the days leading up to Christmas. While I think they could have been connected a little better, I definitely became quite fond of them, and plan to read the novel about their Scrapbooking Society soon!
November 7, 2016
I've read every one of the Friendship Bread books so far and recommended them to friends. They are fantastic stories of friendship and community and people coming together to help each other out. We need more of this in the world.
Things I love about this series:
No mean people doing mean things.
No inappropriate sexual behavior.
No swearing.
Great dialogue.
Wonderful character development.
Inspiring.
Things I love about this series:
No mean people doing mean things.
No inappropriate sexual behavior.
No swearing.
Great dialogue.
Wonderful character development.
Inspiring.
December 31, 2013
I love Avalon, the townspeople are so friendly and the town always comes together. I loved the idea of this book - each story someone doing something in the spirit of Christmas to make things better for others. But I felt it was very fragmented and didn't flow well. The only connection was the town. Few characters did I recognize from the previous two stories.
August 6, 2016
What a lovely Christmas book. And it is free on Amazon so ever better!
Filled with stories that revolve around Christmas, a senior's facility, anonymous giving and a Bah Humbug Club. It is also filled with heartwarming tales that are perfect for the Christmas season. A light read that fill you with the spirit of Christmas. And there are recipes too.
It's free, grab it now for goodness sake!
Filled with stories that revolve around Christmas, a senior's facility, anonymous giving and a Bah Humbug Club. It is also filled with heartwarming tales that are perfect for the Christmas season. A light read that fill you with the spirit of Christmas. And there are recipes too.
It's free, grab it now for goodness sake!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews