Cover Image: Catching Christmas

Catching Christmas

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Member Reviews

This is one of the best books I've read in quite awhile...it was very hard to put down and I finished it in a couple of days. I fell in love with Grandma Carrie and Finn!! It was a touching story connecting 3 lives in unexpected ways. It also helped Finn and Sydney get back to their faith. This is a book I will read again. Thanks Terri Blackstock for another winner!!

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A Christmas novel in any time of the year is special. Terri Blackstock is known for writing suspense novels, but she decided to switch it up and write a contemporary feel good story that takes place during Christmas. She has written some contemporary novels before, and I have enjoyed them too. With Catching Christmas, Blackstock introduces me to a tale of second chances and forgiveness. Finn, the hero is a cab driver who used to be a chef who needed forgiveness for his mother's funeral. While Sydney, the heroine, is the overworked lawyer who feels bad about not taking care of her grandmother. The story has a happy storyline and a feel good ending but not passing through some sad moments first. The romance sprinkled through the ending felt nice and not overwhelming. I enjoyed the story and am glad that I spent the time with it. This is a sweet little novel that took no time to finish. I recommend this novel to fans of Karen Kingsbury and Melissa Tagg's Christmas novels. This story would fit right in.
I received a complimentary copy of Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

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A sweet book that happens at the Christmas season but is much more than a Christmas story. It is a story about unshakable faith, lost faith and harsh realities. The characters are spicy and people you might like to meet - maybe. Callie is a person who shows strength in weakness that is an inspiration to all.

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Terri Blackstock is a favorite author of mine.
When I saw that she had a Christmas book coming, I anticipated a great book.
I was thrilled and pleased with the book. It did not disappoint!

This is a heartwarming story that will grab you
and you will enjoy reading!
I could not put it down, and I will look forward to Christmas time now!

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Not only is Terri Blackstock a master of suspense, she has mastered the sweet romance genre as well. Catching Christmas, her newest story, takes the reader on a fast-paced ride through the Christmas season for Finn Parrish and Sydney Clifton.

Finn, a top-chef-down-on-his-luck-turned-taxi-driver, gets a call from dispatch to pick up a fare in a residential neighborhood. He’d rather work the airport scene, but he needs to pay rent. What he finds when he shows up changes his life forever. Despite his annoyance with his new customer (and her odd requests), he gets drawn into her life. In the process, he faces issues from his past. In the end, he feels like God has given him a divine do-over. And introduced him to the love of his life.

Sydney Clifton has her dream job working for a large firm, but despite her hard work she can barely keep things together. Her grandma (Sydney’s only living relative) has apparently gone off the deep end. Sydney doesn’t know how she can take care of her grandma AND work full time. Especially when her law firm starts laying people off right before Christmas. She tries her best, but when she gets a stinker of a case and her grandma’s taxi driver leaves her hostile messages on her phone, she doesn’t think she can sink any lower. Maybe it’s time to change her dreams.

A fast-paced, whimsical, and sweet romance just in time for Christmas.

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What an absolutely sweet story! I loved it! I totally didn't expect something like this from author Terri Blackstock. I'm used to her more suspense-filled reads.



About the book:



Finn is a cab driver. He's called to pick up an elderly woman to take her to a doctor appointment. He ends up not just giving her a ride, but has to help her into the cab and get her into the doctors office. Finn thinks that is the end of his duties, but there is something about Miss Callie that has Finn worried about her. She seems confused and unable to care for herself. Finn wonders where her family is and why they aren't helping her. Not being able to get Miss Callie off of his mind Finn goes back to the office to make sure she has been taken care of. So begins Finn's reluctant relationship with Miss Callie. When she calls for him the next day Finn cannot say no to her. Finn goes above and beyond trying to find a family member to find out what is going on with Callie's care. Sidney is an attorney working on trying to keep her job by working relentless hours and caring for her grandmother Callie. Sidney doesn't want to have to rely on someone else to take her grandmother to the doctor but she has no choice. During his time driving Miss Callie around Finn learns that the only thing she wants is to find someone special for her granddaughter Sidney to spend Christmas day with.



So many feels reading this story! Seeing how Finn's heart slowly melts towards Callie and how he faces his past mistakes warmed my heart. Reading how he and Sidney help each other find their way was sweet. I totally loved this story and it was the perfect feel-good read to start preparing for the Christmas season.

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This is a must read for this Christmas or anytime. This story includes a granddaughter trying to spread her legal wings, a grandmother who knows her days are numbered but her tasks are not, and a reluctant cab driver who really doesn't want the fare that will ultimately change his life. The characters are well developed and the story will keep you turning the pages. The ending is sure to put a smile on your face. The lesson learned is that even if you don't like what's going on in your life, God is in charge and He knows the end of the story.

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Although the title of Terri Blackstock's latest book is Catching Christmas, do not wait for the holiday to read this wonderful, well written story. I loved Catching Christmas so much, once I picked it up, I could not put it down. I just want to know one thing, where can I get a Finn Parrish? He has to be my favorite book boyfriend this year. He wants to come off like a tough guy, but he is a big softy. I found myself wiping tears away so many times, either laughing till I cried or being moved to tears. I loved Terri's dry humor. Every time Finn was referring to eighty year old “Miss Callie” she got a little older and older. The first time he picked her up in his taxi, she didn't come outside to his horn blowing, so he went to the front door. “An old woman sits in a wheelchair, her head tilted forward. Either she's sleeping or she's dead. Great.” “she has to be in her nineties.” Next time “this two-hundred-year-old woman” then “I hate to say no to a woman who's three hundred years old”.

Miss Callie is such a sweet and fun character. At her age, she has no filter, so you never know just what she will say. While waiting in line at the doctors office, she see's a nurse who is quite overweight. Miss Callie asks the young lady standing in line in front of her if her thighs look that big. Not in a quiet voice. This could be a very sad story, but Callie's faith and walk with Jesus is so strong. This author has a way of bringing hope out of the darkness. Her spiritual thread throughout the novel is very inspiring.

Terri has such a way of painting a beautiful word picture. One of my favorite lines Finns says about Sydney, Miss Callie's granddaughter, “She kisses me. It's as if the clouds break on a hurricane day, as if the sun comes out to dry up the floods. It's as if there are four rainbows encircling me, as if it's early Christmas Day.”

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this book are my own.

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Ms. Blackstock’s suspense stories are my favorite and I was curious about this book. This book has such a heartfelt, touching Christmas story. This story focuses on Sydney who is fresh out of law school and works for a law firm (and has to work all of the time), Finn, a cab driver, and Callie, Sydney’s grandmother. Finn has had a disappointing few years and appears to be cynical and just trying to make money to live on each day. However, his life is changed when he gets the call to take Callie to the doctor one day. Throughout the story, the reader sees how Callie’s influence on Finn and Sydney changes their perspectives. This Christian story set during Christmas is a delightful story to read to remember the real reason for the season. I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed! This book will remind us all the true meaning of the spirit of Christmas.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

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I loved this amusing story of a grandmother's attempt to give her granddaughter the perfect Christmas. My heart went out to Sydney. Her life is a bit of a mess, but she's trying to do the best she can. Finn is drifting along when his days are taken over by Miss Callie. A comical yet heartwarming tale blooms from their predicaments and a grandmother's amazing love. In the midst of your holiday preparation, this story would provide the perfect break, or a great gift. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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For the most part Terri Blackstock writes intrigue/mystery type stories. But this Christmas story is about finding the Spirit of giving and true spirit of Christmas.

Finn is a cab driver who gets called to Callie Bennett's home to give her a ride to the dr's office. When he comes back two hours later, she hasn't been moved from her place. He goes to the reception desk to make sure that Callie gets seen and then he takes her home. For the next few days, Callie calls for Finn to take her wherever she wants to go, not realizing Callie is trying to find a man for her granddaughter, Sydney. Finn is upset with Sydney for not taking care of her grandmother, and Sydney has this loser of a case to try in court and her bosses won't let her take time off from work to run the errands with her grandmother.

What both Finn and Sydney come to realize is that there are many more important things than jobs, and sometimes you have to set aside what's good to get what's better. Part of that is finding what purpose God has for your life, and part of that is doing what you can to fulfill that purpose.

Thomas Nelson allowed me to read this galley through NetGalley.com. My only obligation is to share my honest opinions.

This is a five star book, two thumbs up, and a free ride in a cab.

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Terri Blackstock's first Christmas book is one for the keeper shelf! Seriously warm and we'll written with a good dose of dry humor, this is one holiday read you don't want to miss.

Can driver Finn Parrish beeps his horn at the house of his next fare. No one comes out, so he grudgingly stomps to the door. Inside, in her wheelchair, sets 80 year old Callie Beecher. Sound asleep. Finn does not need this! He doesn't want to tire around this old lady. But he has good manners, so he drops her off at the doctor's office. So begins the journey with this dear lady who is making the rounds of what just might be her last Christmas. Add in her just found again granddaughter, Sydney, who is a young associate at a law firm who is trying to please a demanding boss, and you have the best Christmas story yet! I read this in one day. So hard to put down. Heartwarming, funny, heartbreaking, too, this one will cause more than one year to fall and also joy to pour out of your heart.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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OMG! Loved, loved, loved this Christmas tale from this author. Miss Callie wants to find a good man for her granddaughter. Sydney is a lawyer at a huge law firm. The pressure to outperform her coworkers, represent crazy clients and keep up with her grandmother is too much for her. Finn is a cab driver who has lost way too much to care about much. Put these things together and you've got a Christmas to remember. Loved the book.

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Loved this book! It was a very different read from what you would expect from Terri Blackstock, but not in a bad way whatsoever. The story and the characters were wonderful. A recommended read, for sure!

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Such a sweet and humorous Christmas romance. It was a quick read, but definitely worth it.
Sydney is a lawyer close to losing her job. She can't afford to take time off to take her grandma, Callie, to the doctor so she calls a cab. Finn gets the cab fare and quickly realizes that Callie has a memory problem and can't be left alone, but can't get in contact with any family members. Callie's only goal is to make sure her granddaughter is fixed up with a nice man for Christmas day (and hopefully beyond) so she continues to call Finn to help drive her all around the town checking in with all the nice men she knows.
This book quickly had me laughing out loud as Finn is a big grump and each time he refers to Callie's age in his mind, she gets progressively and humorously "older." While it's not a full novel-length book, the character development is pretty good with the story moving at a good pace and a sweet ending. I highly recommend this as a "feel-good Christmas novella" if that's what you're looking for!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Why didn’t the crazy old lady take an Uber?

Catching Christmas is a sweet, poignant cab ride through the last few days before Christmas, as Callie commandeers Finn’s cab, time, and heart. Finn’s got some major regrets going over his actions around the death of his mom and he’s not about to be found wanting again. He’ll make this cab ride work if it’s the last thing he does. Callie Beecher needs a ride to the doctor’s office, the mall, the bank, and a few dozen other places, as she shops through the last few days, seeking Christmas presents and a date for her granddaughter. Finn’s a bit short on cash, Callie’s a bit short on remembering to pay, and Sydney’s more than a bit short on nice bosses and grateful clients. Together, they’re going to make this a Christmas to remember.

Catching Christmas reads almost like a comedy of errors as Callie, willfully or not, keeps Finn at her beck and call despite his protestations and best intentions. Is Callie crazy? Has she any inkling of the havoc she’s wreaking in Finn’s life? Does she know he’d really like to be able to pay his rent? Does she care? Weaving the life of a cab driver with commentary on eccentric passengers, Uber, the harsh life of newly minted lawyers, and the pain of losing loved ones, this is a story that will have you running for the Kleenex box as you ricochet from one laugh into the next heartfelt moment.

Love, family, and the kindness of strangers snowball as three lonely people slide toward a Christmas none of them will ever forget.

Highly recommended for those who love sweet Christmas tales, happily ever afters, and clean romance.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the publisher through NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

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Finn is like a stand up comic driving a cab, and what he thinks of his fares. Catches us from the beginning, and the characters he does has. His soft side shows with Miss Callie, her concern for her granddaughter, her faith, changes Finn. She keeps him at her beck and call, driving her, days before Christmas. A beautiful story at any time, especially at .Christmas. A time of faith, family and sharing love and memories with them.
Given ARC by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

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Catching Christmas tells the story of first-year associate Sydney who is caring for her beloved but failing grandma while trying to establish her career in a law firm. Finn is hired as a taxi driver for the quirky but lovable grandmother and quickly becomes enmeshed in Sydney and her grandmother's lives - against his wishes. This novel was different from other novels I've read by the same author, but equally as good. A great but NOT stereotypical Christmas read.

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A charming story with a timeless message!
Loved "Miss Callie" and her quirky ways. Putting her concern for her granddaughter's happiness above her own needs, she has a wonderful outlook on life, with a heavenly perspective. Her legacy of faith and hope brushed over everyone she met, and was truly inspirational. I enjoyed watching Finn's transformation and his growing friendship with Callie and Sydney. I laughed and cried with them. The message of valuing time spent with loved ones over the busyness of life was a good reminder, especially over the holidays.

Recommend for readers who enjoy an inspirational story with a bit of romance, set around Christmastime.

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CATCHING CHRISTMAS by TERRI BLACKSTOCK is a delightful book which is at times really funny and at other times sad.
Sydney is a lawyer who is desperately trying to hold on to her job and look after her grandmother at the same time. Finn is a Cordon Bleu chef who is working as a taxi driver. He gets involved with driving the old lady all over the place, which is frustrating at first.
The characters are so likeable and the repartee is quick and clever. The Christian input is good. It is a really enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by Thomas Nelson from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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