Book Review: The Thursday Night club and other stories by Steven Manchester

Brief Synopsis:

A joyous and deeply emotional collection of three unforgettable Christmas novellas. With a series of #1 bestsellers like TWELVE MONTHS, THE ROCKIN' CHAIR and PRESSED PENNIES, Steven Manchester has established himself as one of the premier voices of moving and heartfelt fiction. Now, he collects his three unforgettable Christmas novellas in one volume.

The Thursday Night Club: Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off. As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.

A Christmas Wish: Steph is on a search for truth in her heart as she faces the prospect of real love for the first time. Brian is out to enjoy his favorite season in a way that doctors never thought he could. And at the center of it all is their grandmother, affectionately known as Mama, a woman of remarkable commitment and charity who knows something very important about making Christmas wishes come true.

The Tin-Foil Manger: Published in this volume for the first time, this is the story of Nancy, an elderly woman with little to live for and Jeanne, the caretaker who wants to believe that Nancy has more to live for. Together, they embark on a journey to the past – a past of modest Christmases, tin-foil mangers, and abundant love – to rediscover the time when Nancy felt truly alive. Nancy's memories and how they touch Jeanne, will turn this Christmas into one for the ages.

Rich with emotion and profound with meaning, these three stories of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year and make you look at the holiday season in new ways.

My Review:

The Thursday Night club and other stories by Steven Manchester
Have read other works by this author and have enjoyed them all immensely.
This collection of holiday stories will reach age group. Talks of times when things were simpler and not as commercialized as the holidays are today.
Love memories of visiting the shrine with all the lights, right at dusk and everything goes quiet as the lights go on. Slow down and enjoy the reason for the season.
Also up the road to the railroad and ferris wheel where weather is always 10 degrees colder there than anywhere else. We have recently visited these places doing research of things to do when grandchildren visit.
I love that the author can bring you into the book with such detail you can picture it all in your head. Love additional, new to me holiday stories because they also bring up great memories of caroling around the relatives house each year where we'd bring our own musical instruments of a pot with a spoon to bang on while we all sang. We'd stop in for a cookie and milk then all would leave to go to the next house.
Have to bring the newer generations up to speed because it's all about the simple easy things.
Loved all the books equally as each will bring a smile to your face. This author knows how to write and can't wait to read the new stories.
Received a review copy from the author and this is my honest review.