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Twisted Family Holidays #1
The Town Beneath the Christmas Tree
Christmas is a time for family, particularly children who keep the magic of Christmas alive. What happens though when children become nasty and fight over the wrapped presents under the tree? Six cousins find out in the Town Beneath The Christmas Tree. In the spirit of Charles Dickens the cousins are placed into an unfamiliar, upside-down world, where they are forced to deal with, and rely on, each other. The journey begins with the heroine, nine-year-old Hailey Jade, landing in a winter wonderland where terror soon sets in, as she realizes she is all alone. Soon Hailey is joined by her older cousin, Isaiah. Together they recognize that the younger children have also been catapulted through time and space and are now missing and in danger. The race to find the younger children ends them up in the town beneath their grandfather’s Christmas tree, where they find the true meaning of Christmas and the love for one another.
106 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2014
About the author
J.R. Wirth
25 books36 followersJ.R. Wirth is an award-winning author and native of Southern California. J.R. Wirth was raised in the town of Azusa and now resides in the Inland Empire, very close to his family.
Recently released: The Institute is perhaps his best work to date. Soon to be released: When the Cold Wind Blows is a dramatic and, at times, disturbing look at alternative life and struggles to overcome the worst of odds.
J.R. has been on a bit of a hiatus. He had some health-related issues, and then, recently, spent thirteen months working as a supervisor at a 24/7 psychiatric treatment facility. This position had him busy every day—including Christmas. He’s since moved on and has been able to focus more on his writing.
The Institute has been a long-coming labor of love. With multiple edits and additions, it has been in the works for several years it seems. Finally satisfied with the manuscript, and with great reviews, it is up and active in paperback, hard cover, and Kindle with a limited time deal editions. The full-length novel offers thrills, secret experiments using brain chips, suspense, and supernatural elements, all the while keeping J.R.’s signature character and plot development.
J.R. remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us. In his spare time, JR is a licensed psychotherapist with a long list of accomplishments, including a stint as a university professor.
In all his works, J.R. combines ordinary people with extraordinary circumstances, to create characters that jump off the page and straight into the readers’ heart and psyche. He remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us.
Recently released: The Institute is perhaps his best work to date. Soon to be released: When the Cold Wind Blows is a dramatic and, at times, disturbing look at alternative life and struggles to overcome the worst of odds.
J.R. has been on a bit of a hiatus. He had some health-related issues, and then, recently, spent thirteen months working as a supervisor at a 24/7 psychiatric treatment facility. This position had him busy every day—including Christmas. He’s since moved on and has been able to focus more on his writing.
The Institute has been a long-coming labor of love. With multiple edits and additions, it has been in the works for several years it seems. Finally satisfied with the manuscript, and with great reviews, it is up and active in paperback, hard cover, and Kindle with a limited time deal editions. The full-length novel offers thrills, secret experiments using brain chips, suspense, and supernatural elements, all the while keeping J.R.’s signature character and plot development.
J.R. remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us. In his spare time, JR is a licensed psychotherapist with a long list of accomplishments, including a stint as a university professor.
In all his works, J.R. combines ordinary people with extraordinary circumstances, to create characters that jump off the page and straight into the readers’ heart and psyche. He remains dedicated to the craft of writing, highlighting the conflict, frailty, and hero in all of us.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 9, 2015
An argument under the Christmas tree leads to an accidental massive head-bop for six young children. Where they end up and how they get back is the stuff of legend. Or at least of a really good Christmas story.
Nine-year-old Hailey suddenly finds herself in a strange, snow-covered land. She is soon joined by her cousins Isaiah and Bubba. Together they go in search of the rest of the group, for they are certain that the rest of them wound up in the same place.
Sure enough, they find five-year Arhiana in the lower branches of a huge tree that is ablaze with many-colored lights. Moving further on, they rescue three-year-old Hayden from the conductor cabin of a train that is running circles around a pleasant-looking little town.
Things get even stranger when they cross the bridge into the town and find it filled with people dressed in 19th-century garb. When they find two-year-old Harper, what happens next shocks the two oldest of the group beyond their wildest dreams.
This was a sweet story, with very likeable characters. And as good stories should, it had a lesson to convey. “From the mouths of babes” – that phrase has great significance here. The reader is easily drawn into the predicament surrounding the band of unwilling adventurers, and will love the ending. I have read this story a couple of times, and still get chills at the end.
Definitely worth the short time it takes to read this tale, at any time of the year.
Nine-year-old Hailey suddenly finds herself in a strange, snow-covered land. She is soon joined by her cousins Isaiah and Bubba. Together they go in search of the rest of the group, for they are certain that the rest of them wound up in the same place.
Sure enough, they find five-year Arhiana in the lower branches of a huge tree that is ablaze with many-colored lights. Moving further on, they rescue three-year-old Hayden from the conductor cabin of a train that is running circles around a pleasant-looking little town.
Things get even stranger when they cross the bridge into the town and find it filled with people dressed in 19th-century garb. When they find two-year-old Harper, what happens next shocks the two oldest of the group beyond their wildest dreams.
This was a sweet story, with very likeable characters. And as good stories should, it had a lesson to convey. “From the mouths of babes” – that phrase has great significance here. The reader is easily drawn into the predicament surrounding the band of unwilling adventurers, and will love the ending. I have read this story a couple of times, and still get chills at the end.
Definitely worth the short time it takes to read this tale, at any time of the year.
February 16, 2015
This is a lovely story that touched me in so many ways. It isn’t soppy or over the top – just like it promises. The author tells an honest and heart-warming tale that, I am sure, will inspire you.
Our story is narrated by young, Hailey. After a brief battle with her cousins over the Christmas presents they find themselves in a strange place. Their only clue is a message on Hailey’s cousin’s phone, “Merry Little Christmas”.
This is a Christmas tale with a twist. It is well written and the plot flows nicely. I was given a copy to read for an honest review.
I am sure your children will enjoy reading it or have it read to them. It’s well worth a read.
Our story is narrated by young, Hailey. After a brief battle with her cousins over the Christmas presents they find themselves in a strange place. Their only clue is a message on Hailey’s cousin’s phone, “Merry Little Christmas”.
This is a Christmas tale with a twist. It is well written and the plot flows nicely. I was given a copy to read for an honest review.
I am sure your children will enjoy reading it or have it read to them. It’s well worth a read.
December 31, 2014
The Town Beneath the Christmas Tree lives up to its billing as a “Dickens-like” story. Narrated by one of the six cousins, Hailey, the story takes the children on a trip to a land only imagined where they discover the true meaning of Christmas. Though there are no “Ghosts of Christmas-anything,” there are several very likeable characters. The reason for the predicament in which they find themselves will sound awfully familiar to any parents who celebrate Christmas. It is a children’s book for all ages, and for the ages; a recommended reading.
December 31, 2023
I read this for a challenge because it fit the category of "an author with the same name as you", it was short, it was appropriate to the season, and it was supposed to be mysterious. I didn't have high hopes, but wanted to check the category off and figured how bad could it be? It was just awful. So poorly written and not remotely suspenseful. By far my least favorite book this year. Or this decade.
December 30, 2014
There are going to be a lot of things that seem "off" to you as you are reading this story. Characters behave and talk in a much older way than they should, but I would urge you to keep reading. All is explained in the story. The only real ding that I can give the story is the unfortunate choice of title, it ruins a bit of the mystery of the story. Still, if you're looking for a bit of an unusual Christmas story, this is a good one.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews