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In the Still Midwinter: A Christmas Anthology
Five stories of Christmas redemption and relevation--families, strangers, coworkers, and even the dear departed.
* Queenie's Christmas - A doll helps a girl and her mom find the spirit
* Cocoa and the Cat - It's dangerous to bring in a stray
* The Brick - Christmas is about surprises, right?
* Moon Dance - The magic comes just when a person needs it<
* In the Still Midwinter - When the lights go out, will it be the worst party every?
Being vulnerable helps people find the true spirit of the season despite the hype and expectations. Settle in with a cup of cocoa and enjoy.
* Queenie's Christmas - A doll helps a girl and her mom find the spirit
* Cocoa and the Cat - It's dangerous to bring in a stray
* The Brick - Christmas is about surprises, right?
* Moon Dance - The magic comes just when a person needs it<
* In the Still Midwinter - When the lights go out, will it be the worst party every?
Being vulnerable helps people find the true spirit of the season despite the hype and expectations. Settle in with a cup of cocoa and enjoy.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2015
7 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Henley Babb
41 books79 followersWriting healing fiction that makes people laugh while they are changing their lives.
I began writing when I could hold a piece of chalk and scribble my name–although I sometimes mistook “Chocolate” for “Charlotte” on the sign at the drug store ice cream counter.
When my third-grade teacher allowed me access to the fiction room at the school library, I discovered Louisa Alcott and Robert Heinlein, an odd marriage of the minds. These two authors, along with many others, have had the most influence on my desire to share my point of view with the world and to explore how the world might be made better. I had already read Black Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and a good bit of King Arthur and Robin Hood.
Having (mis)spent my youth teaching English in high schools and junior colleges, I have had a few publications, first two SF story cycles of six pieces in a space opera anthology Port Nowhere and now, my first novel, Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil.
I bring to any project a number of experiences, including work as a technical writer, gasket inspector, cloth store associate, girl Friday, and telephone psychic.
Moving beyond the first half century of my life, I amwriting the sequel, and have begun plotting a series of stories in a shared universe. I want to explore the clashes in societies between an engineered society and a lawless anarchy. In the meantime, I’ve fallen prey to steampunk and the gears are turning.
I began writing when I could hold a piece of chalk and scribble my name–although I sometimes mistook “Chocolate” for “Charlotte” on the sign at the drug store ice cream counter.
When my third-grade teacher allowed me access to the fiction room at the school library, I discovered Louisa Alcott and Robert Heinlein, an odd marriage of the minds. These two authors, along with many others, have had the most influence on my desire to share my point of view with the world and to explore how the world might be made better. I had already read Black Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and a good bit of King Arthur and Robin Hood.
Having (mis)spent my youth teaching English in high schools and junior colleges, I have had a few publications, first two SF story cycles of six pieces in a space opera anthology Port Nowhere and now, my first novel, Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil.
I bring to any project a number of experiences, including work as a technical writer, gasket inspector, cloth store associate, girl Friday, and telephone psychic.
Moving beyond the first half century of my life, I amwriting the sequel, and have begun plotting a series of stories in a shared universe. I want to explore the clashes in societies between an engineered society and a lawless anarchy. In the meantime, I’ve fallen prey to steampunk and the gears are turning.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 10, 2017
Recently, I met Charlotte Henley Babb at a local author event. She told me that she writes stories for "people over the age of 20 who have survived marriage, divorce, childrearing, bankruptcy and widowhood." Since I survived marriage, childrearing, widowhood AND the Great Recession, I grabbed her book.
"In the Still Midwinter" is the kind of book that will get everybody in the spirit of Christmas; at least I cannot imagine who could resist. This book contains heartwarming short stories that made me smile. Henley Babb is an excellent writer, gifted with a talent to describe the little details, which coincidentally happen to be the little details "all of us" remember, too. Because, these details are the ones that define Christmas; all of us have experienced these beautiful moments.
I am also a bit tired of the many special effects and loud jingles which seem to really "interrupt" the season, non-stop. Come to think about it, today (Oct 24) at home improvement markets the decorated trees are already on display - now - even before we celebrated Thanksgiving or have dressed up for Halloween.
In contrast to this loud season American stores and media seem to force on us, Henley-Babb's stories are thoughtful, sweet, surprising, just like what was "good" about "the good old days." The stories tell of the divorced mom who wants to give her daughter the Christmas gift she really wants, of Rose, who is out of cocoa, and while she goes to get some meets a "homeless man" together they change each others' lives, ... of a ruined Christmas party and what happened next, and "the Brick."
These are no fairy tales, they are a r e a l Christmas stories. Loved them.
5 Stars,
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
"In the Still Midwinter" is the kind of book that will get everybody in the spirit of Christmas; at least I cannot imagine who could resist. This book contains heartwarming short stories that made me smile. Henley Babb is an excellent writer, gifted with a talent to describe the little details, which coincidentally happen to be the little details "all of us" remember, too. Because, these details are the ones that define Christmas; all of us have experienced these beautiful moments.
I am also a bit tired of the many special effects and loud jingles which seem to really "interrupt" the season, non-stop. Come to think about it, today (Oct 24) at home improvement markets the decorated trees are already on display - now - even before we celebrated Thanksgiving or have dressed up for Halloween.
In contrast to this loud season American stores and media seem to force on us, Henley-Babb's stories are thoughtful, sweet, surprising, just like what was "good" about "the good old days." The stories tell of the divorced mom who wants to give her daughter the Christmas gift she really wants, of Rose, who is out of cocoa, and while she goes to get some meets a "homeless man" together they change each others' lives, ... of a ruined Christmas party and what happened next, and "the Brick."
These are no fairy tales, they are a r e a l Christmas stories. Loved them.
5 Stars,
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
December 21, 2016
This short anthology of festive Christmas stories is full of the true heart-warming meaning of Christmas. Each story is short yet filled with hope, reflection and togetherness.
The first story ‘Queenie’s Christmas’ was very powerful in the sense that it narrated difficult topics whilst telling a heartening tale. It shows the strength that it takes to get through the holidays when everything is not going well the rest of the year. You can take something away from the stories which show how different types of obstacles can be overcome with the real meaning of Christmas, family, togetherness and kindness; no matter what they may look like to different family units.
My favourite story was ‘Cocoa and the Cat’. It was a sweet story that despite the many dangerous pathways it could have taken turned out to be a gentle reminder of the power of a good deed and the lack of faith we have in humanity. I was waiting for something bad to happen when I was reading it, but then it ended on such a mellow and encouraging ending it reminded me that sometimes there are happy, innocent and fulfilling ending.
A really good collection to get you into the festive mood. Highly recommended.
The first story ‘Queenie’s Christmas’ was very powerful in the sense that it narrated difficult topics whilst telling a heartening tale. It shows the strength that it takes to get through the holidays when everything is not going well the rest of the year. You can take something away from the stories which show how different types of obstacles can be overcome with the real meaning of Christmas, family, togetherness and kindness; no matter what they may look like to different family units.
My favourite story was ‘Cocoa and the Cat’. It was a sweet story that despite the many dangerous pathways it could have taken turned out to be a gentle reminder of the power of a good deed and the lack of faith we have in humanity. I was waiting for something bad to happen when I was reading it, but then it ended on such a mellow and encouraging ending it reminded me that sometimes there are happy, innocent and fulfilling ending.
A really good collection to get you into the festive mood. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews