Gifts: Visible & Invisible

by CatholicTeenBooks authors: Susan Peek, Katy Huth Jones, Carolyn Astfalk, Theresa Linden, Leslea Wahl, Cynthia T. Toney, T.M. Gaouette, and Corinna Turner.

Summary and Review:

Gifts: Visible & Invisible is an anthology written by several authors at CatholicTeenBooks.com. This collection of eight Christmas-y stories will introduce readers to the author’s unique styles and may help make Christmas a little bit more meaningful. Contemporary, historical, dystopian, and saintly stories fill this second anthology. All the inspiring Christmas stories are about a gift of some sort and have an element of helping others.

THE OUTLAWS’ FRIEND by Susan Peek: Setting out in a raging blizzard with nothing but an outlaw’s trunk and a heart clenched with dread, Barney leaves the warmth of his family for the cold unknown. Will he find the courage to obey the command?

Set during a harsh winter in the 1920s, this story is a heart-warming fictional story about Fr. Solanus Casey, a modern-day priest who is on the road to sainthood.

IN THE STEPS OF A SAINT by Katy Huth Jomes: What could an ancient Christmas carol possibly have to do with Andrew’s life? He’s about to find out!

Katy Huth Jones is the author of Treachery and Truth, the fictionalized real-life story of Good King Wenceslas, told from the perspective of a beloved servant. This short story explores the words of the beloved Christmas carol in a modern setting.

A PERFECT CHRISTMAS by Carolyn Astsfalk: No tree, no cookies, no gifts. Not a single flake of snow. With sick siblings, Dad stranded, and Mom overwhelmed, will Christmas come at all to Marigold’s topsy-turvy home?

A Perfect Christmas is an introduction to characters that will soon appear again in a new YA novel by Carolyn Astfalk. Marigold and her family are delightful, relatable characters.

OPERATION GIFT DROP by Theresa Linden: In a dystopian future, Bolcan wants to prove his skills as a rescuer but this is a crazy mission: deliver gifts to Aldonians by stealth and at risk of capture.

Operation Gift Drop is a dystopian story that includes my favorite character from Theresa Linden’s Chasing Liberty series. This exciting story gives the reader some insight into this fascinating futuristic series.

CHRISTMAS ANGEL by Leslea Wahl: Meg’s unforgettable Advent journey begins when four simple words challenge her idea of a perfect Christmas.

My contribution is loosely based on a true story that a friend shared with me. I was so touched by the event and thought it would make a perfect Christmas short story.

SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS by Cynthia T. Toney: Christmas without her friend Sal isn’t the same, but Antonina finds a new friend whose circumstances have her rethinking the value of a gift.

Cynthia T. Toney’s story is set during the depression in a small Louisiana town. It features one of the characters from her historical novel – The Other Side of Freedom.

JUST JESUS by T.M. Gaouette: Christmas had always made sense to Vanessa, until her yuletide festivities are called into question by a new kid named Luke and a mysterious wood carving.

Just Jesus has a wonderful message about the dangers of judging others. A mysterious gift and a frustrating new student propel the intrigue of this contemporary story.

A VERY JURASSIC CHRISTMAS EVE by Corinna Turner: Joshua’s perfect Christmas Eve is upended by the plight of a starving mamma dino and her babies. Meanwhile, Darryl and her family risk their lives for a holiday guest in the perilous, raptor-infested mountains.

A Very Jurassic Christmas Eve is part of Turner’s unSPARKED Jurassic stories. This short story, full of excitement and danger, is another installment into the lives of two intriguing characters.