In the Still Midwinter: A Christmas Anthology by Charlotte Henley Babb

In the Still Midwinter: A Christmas Anthology Reviews

• 
  Gisela Hausmann

  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
• 
  Lissa

  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.