Customer Reviews

A Christmas Present

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A Christmas Present
Bill O'Shea
ISBN:0-9709946-0-5
LCCN: 2001117042
160 Pages
October 2001

O'Shea creates a heartwarming piece of literature that mimics the imaginative style of Dickens and Lewis. Similar to Lewis, O'Shea weaves the redemptive story of Christ through his story, adding depth and meaning to the traditional story of Scrooge.

The character of David Conners is developed into a man that is changed drastically, not once, but twice. Mr. Conners begins the story as a somewhat shallow man, his life based upon his wife's very existence. By the end of the book, miraculous happenings change him. He finds meaning to his life in the things that transcend time, rather than the quickly fading joys of the present.

The book's descriptive passages are delightful and allow the reader to experience the challenges of the protagonist. O'Shea's writing style creates a renewed view of time honored true ideas.

Five bows out of five
--Amy Renea Harrison, Gotta Write Book Reviewer
June 8, 2002

"A Christmas Present" is a story that touches on the natural emotions of family, love and holiday cheer. It reaffirms our belief in faith to help us through life's tragedies. A truly well written story that can be enjoyed no matter what time of the year.

"A Christmas Present" is a wonderful, heart warming story. It reminds us that although life sometimes has great sorrow, God loves us and will get us through if we keep our hearts open. The author gave such a terrific explantion of how St. Nicholas (with a little help from "the Boss"!) makes his Christmas Eve journey that children of all ages will believe in Santa again! "A Christmas Present" will be my Christmas present to my loved ones!

This book was really well written and truly touched a chord with me. It reminded me how precious life is and how each day is a gift. If you are looking for a wonderful tale of truimph through tragedy, a real affirmation of the miracle that is Christmas, this is the book for you!

This is my favorite book. A special gift of words year round and especially at the holiday season. A very heart warming look into a family with a tragic loss at a very joyful time of year. The ups and downs will keep you reading until the very last word and leave you wanting to read it all over again. Bill O'Shea speaks to the heart of every reader and puts you in touch with at least one of the characters. A holiday favorite every family member will enjoy. Simply the BEST!!

A Christmas Present is a well written holiday story which explores the value and meaning of love. It certainly keeps your interest and attention. I got so involved reading it, that I nearly missed my connecting flight at the airport. I was so emotionally moved by the story that I never heard my flight being called! If you enjoyed the Christmas Box, you certainly won't want to miss this!

by DonnaJ

David Connors loved Christmas and couldn't wait to get home to his wife Julie and their son Alex. They had plans to have Christmas Eve dinner with his parents before going to midnight mass, but he had one more client he had to see before he could leave. He and the client would go over the prenuptial agreement, then he'd be off to the train station and home in a couple of hours. After seeing Mr. DeGuilio and getting last minutes instructions from him, David looked out his window and saw that it was snowing harder and wondered if they would have to change their plans, but then remembered it was Christmas snow and nothing bad could happened. As he was leaving his building, he noticed the Salvation Army Santa ringing his bell and decided to give him some money. Looking at him, he thought how he made the perfect Santa, with his snow-white beard, red velvet suit and his blue eyes. While giving him the money, he felt as if he knew him, but shrugged it off and proceeded to Grand Central Station and home.

Walking into the house, he thinks about how, after 5 years of marriage, it's easy to stop noticing what your spouse is wearing or doing to the house, but tonight he noticed all those things about Julie. Following her into the living room where his parents and son were waiting, he noticed that, even though Santa hadn't arrived yet, there were some packages already under the tree. One in particular he really wanted to know what it was, but Julie told him he couldn't open it until Christmas morning. It was a large, flat square package, but she handed him a large legal sized envelope. Inside was a lease for an office to open his own practice.

As they're leaving from the Christmas service, Julie remembers they forgot the diaper bag and runs back in to get it. Coming back out and reaching the street she doesn't notice the truck coming too fast down the street and starts to cross when her heel gets stuck and she can't get loose. She falls and the truck hits her. At the hospital, they try everything to keep her alive, but to no avail. He doesn't know how he'll live without her. Three years later, he gets a miraculous Christmas present that shows him how he can live again.

A Christmas Present is the story of how a man learns how to love and live again when he felt all he'd had to live for had been taken from him. This story will grab your heart and not let go. You'll think about it for days after and hold these characters close to you. Mr. O'Shea has a great novel here that is more than a keeper; it also makes you remember the joy of family and friends. It's well worth the price.