Christmas Pieces

Written by Author, Tom Gahan,

24 Historical Fiction Short Stories Surrounding Christmas,

Christmas, Advent, Short Stories.

Christmas Pieces is a collection of 24 tales that warm the heart—think Advent. The stories are set in a time of what feels like yesteryear and brings true holiday warmth and cheer. I chose two stories to review, one located in Pittsburgh and the other within the Everglades of Florida, both stories were around 2000 words.

Pittsburgh: A Christmas tale set in post-war Pittsburgh, offering a vivid portrayal of blue-collar life. Hank, a railroad worker, navigates the challenges of frugality, tradition, and love, reflecting on simpler times with his wife Edith. Their modest life takes a surprise turn when an unexpected inheritance changes everything, just as their grown children return for Christmas. This story beautifully captures the spirit of family, resilience, and the warmth of unexpected blessings. With rich descriptions and relatable characters, it paints a nostalgic picture of a working-class holiday. A touching, feel-good read.

Everglades: Through the life of Nokosi, a descendant of Seminole warriors, the story spans from the Christmas Day Battle of Okeechobee in 1837 to the 20th-century cultural shifts, where Christianity mingled with Seminole traditions. Nokosi’s journey from his ancestral roots to his baptism as Joseph, a talented woodcarver, reflects the convergence of these two worlds. The final scene, where Joseph’s life-sized Nativity carvings are covered in a rare Florida snowfall, feels like a divine message, a symbol of harmony between the old and the new.

This book is a delightful read. You can easily pick it up and enjoy a full story in just a few pages or settle in and read several at once. Either way, you’ll feel that heartwarming sense of Christmas spirit. It’s perfect for reading any time of year, or you can tuck it away with your holiday decorations and make it a cherished part of your yearly traditions.

Author website – www.tom-gahan.com

About the author: Tom Gahan has written for decades covering a wide variety of areas. He prefers to write historical fiction. Tom’s commercial writing helped launch a startup company to be an international industry leader within two years. His well-received historical fiction novel, Harmony Bay: An adventurous slice of waterfront life where mystery surrounds history became required reading at several high schools. Tom Gahan has often lectured on writing and has been a welcome guest at schools, universities, libraries, and book clubs. Tom is the recipient of several awards including the prestigious Gold Key Award from his hometown Chamber of Commerce, two citations from the U.S. Congress, and was named Civic Leader of the Year for his humanitarian work. Tom, who is a happily married grandfather, enjoys travel, fishing, wildlife, nature, and woodworking. He lives on eastern Long Island in New York.

The book has been reviewed over 10x. Cover art has been awarded a 5-star rating by Mobius. Goodreads rating avg. of 5.0, Amazon rating 5 stars. Comparative title: Christmas Stories: Heartwarming Classics of Angels, a Manger, and the Birth of Hope, written by Max Lucado

Abstract terms: Christmas Short Stories, Holiday Stories, Historical, Advent, Wholesome, Family-Friendly, Multicultural, Secular, Christian, Romance, Tradition, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alaska, Pittsburgh, Oshkosh, Florida, California, Denver, Bayou, Bethlehem, West Bank

Published in paperback and eBook formats. The book contains approximately 176 pages. Genre: Biography.

ISBN PBK, 978-1506914381, ISBN EBK 978-1506914398, 298 pages, 6×9, Cream Stock 50lb