Cover Image: Catching Christmas

Catching Christmas

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Member Reviews

A modern adventure of a cabby driver who meets his match when told to go pick up Miss Callie and take her to a doctors appointment. The next few days send Finn, the cabby driver, and Miss Callie’s granddaughter, Sydney on quite the ride.

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This is the second book I have read by Terri Blackstock. As with the first (“If I Run”), I was impressed both by the authors writing and by her ability to integrate Christianity into the story without beating readers over the head with it.

I say that as a Christian. Some Christian books are overly preachy and some don’t touch much on Christianity at all. There is a fine line between the two, and Ms. Blackstock has found that point of view.

In this story, we follow a taxi driver, Finn Parrish, as he drives an elderly customer around. He’s irate that no one in her family is taking care of her. In the course of trying to correct that, he gets in touch with her granddaughter, Sydney Batson.

Sydney is a lawyer working for a firm that demands more than a pound of flesh from their employees. Sydney is put on the point of choosing her job or choosing to help her grandmother.

Miss Callie is the grandmother and she’s a delightful lady. That she loves Jesus is evident in how she acts and what she says.

It was a delightful but not always happy book to read before Christmas. It seemed real and true. That is a lot to say about any book. I will miss the characters now that I have finished it.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

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Catching Christmas was a book that I couldn't put down, I read it in one day.
I love the cover!
Finn Parrish is a more than a cab driver, he used to own his own restaurant, until the economy took a dive. Finn is tired of the Christmas songs playing on the radio, he has no idea that life is about to show him what Christmas is really all about. When Finn gets a call, to pick up someone from a residential neighborhood, he wants to refuse the call. He knows he won't make as much as he would at the airport. Finn does expect an old lady to change his life, sometimes people you don't know, take a place in your heart. I loved Callie Beecher and her granddaughter Sydney, Callie' has no filter and is hilarious.
Thanks Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the great read.

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I truly enjoy Christmas books. I begin reading them every September. I like them because they nearly always have a happy ending. Sometimes, however that happy ending can be a surprise. Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock is the latest Christmas read to fill my Kindle. It's a good one!

My Thoughts:
This was a most unlikely novel. The little old lady was just so adorable, and yet a bit headstrong. Wrap headstrong in lovely manners, and she just gets away with it!
It begins with a match of Finn the cab driver and Callie the sick little old lady who he describes as a hundred and then two hundred years old. Because of Finn's past regrets, he takes the time needed to help Callie even though he doesn't want to. All the while he's growing angrier at Sydney the granddaughter whom he's never met.
Sydney is stuck in a terrible job that she just must keep that is keeping her from fulfilling her grandmother's needs. She's supremely frustrated and stressed.
Callie is a loving grandmother who has a plan and a long to-do list that must be completed before Christmas. She relies on charm and God to get those to-dos to-done!
This is a quick little novella that can be read in an evening or two...or stretch it out to make the enjoyment last longer. The setting is described perfectly, the characters are developed well for such a short novella, and the action moves along just quick enough to keep the reader's interest.
I enjoyed it very much. It is clean and good for any age to read.
5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


Disclosure: I was sent a sample of this product for review purposes only. I was not compensated in any way. All opinions are my own based on my experience with this product. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

#CatchingChristmas #NetGalley

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Finn is a taxi driver, not a personal driver, but this sweet old lady Callie still wants to hire him to drive her around. Sydney is a much too busy first year lawyer, who feels bad enough that she had to call for a cab to driver her grandmother to an appt. All Callie wants for Christmas is something special for her granddaughter. I really enjoyed the story and Callie’s character. This is not Terri’s usual mystery/suspense, but a wonderful Christmas themed story that will warm your heart.
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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A fun romance ride and just perfect for those getting ready for the Hallmark Christmas movie season.

Sydney Batson is trying her hardest to be a good granddaughter and take care of her ailing grandmother while also trying not to lose her job at her law firm. In desperate need of help to get her grandmother to the doctor at the same time she is due in court Sydney, calls for a cab to take her to the clinic. She knows she should be the one to go but if she loses her job she won’t be able to take care of either of them. Cab driver Finn Parrish is trying to make up for lost money after being robbed and when a call comes to pick up a woman and take her to a doctor’s appointment he reluctantly goes. Miss Callie is a hard reminder of his mother who he feels he let down in her last days and now every time he gets a call he can’t refuse to help. Even when Miss Callie doesn’t remember to pay him, Finn is there for her as she goes around running Christmas errands and looking for a date for her granddaughter. Finn is trying to do all he can to help Miss Callie fulfill her Christmas wish of doing something nice for the only family she has left. When he meets Sydney, he realizes he might just be getting a Christmas gift he never expected.

For me, when I read Terri Blackstock I know I am going to get a good romantic suspense. With her first Christmas novel, Blackstock takes readers on an adventure with these three characters that is sure to put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. I loved the way this story played out. Finn had just the right amount of grumpiness in him to make him reluctant to want to help but enough goodness in him to overpower and be there when he was needed. Sydney isn’t so driven by her career that she doesn’t care about her family, she just is in a position that makes it hard to be in two places at once. The characters meshed so well with each other in not only dialogue but also narrative sections, which can become a part that drags in the story if not done correctly. Each paragraph brought out more interesting aspects of the characters and more enjoyment in the story. It was fun to see Blackstock stretch her writing while keeping the story flowing without the suspense aspect. There was still plenty of tension to drive the story along, it was just presented in a different way. I recommend this to readers that love a great Hallmark Christmas movie and want to read a story that will play out like the movie while reading. And of course, all fans of Blackstock’s work will enjoy this as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

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Plot: A lawyer sends a cab to take her elderly grandmother to the hospital, and the cab driver gets drawn into both of their lives.

Holiday Cheer: High.

Verdict: O, Holy Night!

This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #3 - October 2018

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This book has a powerful and inspiring message that slowly reveals itself through the transformative journey of two characters who have lost their way in a crazy and chaotic world. Finn is a jaded man whose career ambitions blinded him at a critical time in his life that he deeply regrets. And although Sydney tries her best to take care of her ailing grandmother she can’t be with her every minute of the day because of her highly demanding career. In the middle of all this chaos is Sydney’s sweet grandmother, Callie, whose tenacious spirit and trust in God’s love provides a much needed beacon of faith. I felt a deep emotional connection to all three characters as they struggled through impossible circumstances that deeply touched my heart and I so loved the powerful storytelling of this wonderful author. I read an early copy of this book provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

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Terri Blackstock is a NY Times best selling author that is known for writing mystery and suspense books. Catching Christmas is her first Christmas book, and I have to say it was definitely worth the wait! This is a heartwarming romance that perfectly captures the magic of the holiday season.

Sydney Batson is a first-year law associate that is devoting all of her time to the current case she is working on. She has no free time, let alone time to take her grandmother to the doctor in the middle of her court case. Her grandmother's health rapidly declined over the past few days, and she has to find out the cause. Not having any other options, Sydney arranges for a cab to pick up her eighty year old grandmother, Callie.

Finn Parrish is a thirty year old cab driver in Dallas, and his day is not off to a great start. He just dropped off a passenger that he couldn't wait to get rid of, and now has been called to do a pickup in a residential area. He arrives at the house, and when nobody comes outside, he goes to the door. He sees an elderly woman in a wheelchair, and has to help her get into the cab. His passenger, Callie Beecher, keeps falling asleep and has no clue where she is going. Finn calls the dispatch office to see if a destination was given, and finds out she has a doctor appointment After he gets her checked in at the doctor, Finn gives Callie his card in case she needs to get picked up. Little does he know, but this was only the beginning of his journey with Callie.

Callie Beecher, affectionately known as Miss Callie, knows her granddaughter is too busy to always help her, so she begins relying on Finn to take her places. She does not always remember to pay him, but he still is there whenever she calls. Callie has Finn take her to the store, bank, and other errands. However, Callie is also on a mission to find a man for her granddaughter...but maybe she is looking in all of the wrong places.

Catching Christmas is such a beautifully told story! The characters are well-developed, quirky, and at the same time, down to earth. Callie stole my heart right from the start, as well as Finn. My heart broke for Finn, especially since he has not come to terms with the death of his own mother. However, that also plays a huge role in why he continues to help Callie every time she calls...it his way of redemption for the things he did not do in regards to his own mother. As for Callie, she is also trying to make up for something...the years lost when she did not see Sydney.

As the story unfolds, more is learned about each character. Each has a story to tell, and your heart will feel compassion for all of them. Callie is the real star of this story, and her matchmaking definitely leads to quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. I loved how she has no filter, and basically says whatever comes to mind. Callie will remind you of your own mother or grandmother. Callie may be the star of the story, but Finn is the hero. Finn has the patience of a saint with Miss Callie, and seeing the relationship that develops between them is pure joy. Sydney is determined to succeed as a law associate, and is torn between her job and taking care of her grandmother. She does the best she can, and Finn quickly becomes the help she has needed, but could not afford.

Overall, this was a wonderful story that perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas. It is a story covering a lot of topics...friendship, love, family and faith. This story will cause you to tear up at some moments, and laugh out loud at others. Catching Christmas is the perfect holiday book...one that will stay with you long after reading it.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson-Fiction and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review Catching Christmas. My opinions are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

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Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock was such a great book. It had so much humor in it and Miss Callie was a typical older lady. She spoke her mind and loudly. Her granddaughter Sydney was a first year law associate and was given a case that was impossible to win and if she didn’t win it, she was fired. She got called into the office when she was to be taking her grandmother to a doctor’s appointment. So a cab was called and it turned out to be Finn Parrish. She couldn’t remember so he had to go the extra mile to get her where she was supposed to be. She called for him every day to take her someplace. There was sadness to but the faith Miss Callie had and the messages she left showed her faith and the love she had for her granddaughter.

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I was so excited to see a Terri Blackstock Christmas book available through my book blogging relationship with NetGalley! I love this author AND I love Christmas books, so I knew this was going to be a good one! Today's post is about Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock.  I understand that this is the author's first Christmas book, and I'm hoping it won't be her last! 

This is the very sweet story of Callie, the eighty year old grandmother of first-year law associate, Sydney Batson.  Callie is wheelchair-bound and has a bit of dementia. Sydney is in the middle of a court case that will make or break her career, so when Callie has to go to the clinic, Sydney hires cab driver, Finn Parrish to take her. 

Finn is a burned out and jaded former successful chef turned cab driver who then somehow reluctantly becomes Callie's "Christmas elf" by virtue of the fact that he feels a bit of guilt in the fact that he failed his own mother in her last days.  When Callie calls Finn for a ride in the cab, despite the fact that she sometimes forgets to pay him, he just can't say no. Callie knows she is old and not able to take care of holiday errands, so she is very happy to find Finn and keeps him at her beck and call despite his protests.  During the time Finn is driving Callie around, he discovers that the only thing Callie really wants is to find someone special for her Sidney to spend Christmas day with.

I loved the good dose of dry humor in this story that was light but always present. Readers could feel the fact that time was short for Callie, as well as the pressure Sydney felt rushing to and from work and caring for her grandmother.  Callie wants to find Sydney a Christmas date, and she uses Finn's services to do so.  Little do they both know that Callie sees both of them for who they are and knows they will make a great match.  When Finn and Sydney finally get together, Callie finds her happy Christmas. It’s their getting together that is the heart of the story.  I will admit that I really loved this Christmas story and especially from one of my favorite Christian authors!

I was provided with a complimentary electronic advanced reader copy from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley in exchange for my post.  I was not required to post a positive review, but have chosen to do so because this book was great! Thank you!

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What do you get when you cross burned out chef turned cab driver Finn Parish with Jesus loving grandma Miss Callie who has dementia issues? A quirky comedy of errors that has Finn beyond frustrated and walking on the edge of his sanity. Add in overextended first year law associate and granddaughter Sydney Batson to the mix and that's a recipe for all kinds of interesting dynamics between the three.
My favorite part was Miss Callie's no-filter funny comments and her Christian witness to everyone she knew. Her lovely thoughts while talking to her pastor in his office explaining what she believed heaven must be like echo my own beliefs, "I can just imagine heaven being a mountaintop experience every day...every hour, just as much as you can stand, till your heart just can't hold anymore." Wonderful to ponder.
I appreciate Thomas Nelson making a copy of Catching Christmas available for review.

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I enjoyed this fast read, and you can feel what Christmas is really about, what a great book the author has shared with us.
There are some chuckles and tears here, and you feel compassion for all of those involved, and I felt like I was watching as I read!
You will find yourself thinking of your own mother or grandmother, and putting a face to Miss Callie, and yes, you can actually see that all that happens here could be true.
We really answer the question here of who is really family, and when you think about it the answers come, those who care and love you, and “the cab driver”.
A don’t miss read that will keep your attention!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Sydney is a new lawyer with an important case which can either make or break her career. Her grandmother is sick and is unable to take her to the doctor. Finn is the taxi driver who is called to bring Miss Callie to her appointment. Miss Callie reminds him of his mother, which is why he returns every time she calls. He drives her all over town. She talks to many men about dating her granddaughter. Finn is sure about either woman is Callie delusional, is Sydney a unfit caregiver. I loved this book. There was sad, romantic and funny aspects to this book.

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This was a sweet romance, set around Christmas. A jaded cabdriver gets roped into repeatedly helping a sick old woman, and her personality draws him in, despite his initial resistance. Callie (the old lady) was such a great character and reminded me of a lot of old ladies I have met - absolutely no filter, and a great desire to do good. Meanwhile, Callie's granddaughter/caregiver is dealing with enormous work pressure. The story was sweet, funny, and a little sad too - a very nice entry to the Christmas season.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. I will definitely look for other books by this author.

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This is the best feel-good about Christmas book that I have ever read. The story of Callie, the octogenarian who is determined to create a happy holiday for her overworked granddaughter Sydney, is both heart-warming and realistic. The unexpected character in the story is Finn, the cab driver who is tasked with driving Callie around town so that she can “catch Christmas.” Callie is well aware that she is old and not able to take care of holiday errands, so she is delighted to find a helper in Finn. He’s like a reluctant Christmas elf, driving Callie all around town and seldom getting paid for his troubles because the elderly lady keeps forgetting to pay him. The humor in the book was light but was always present, as was the feeling that time was short for Callie. The theme of valuing time with those you love was well expressed, as I was quickly drawn into the story of Sydney rushing from work to caring for her grandmother, back to work, etc. Finn was my favorite character because he gave his time reluctantly at first, blaming Sydney for her lack of care for her ailing grandmother. When Finn and Sydney finally get together, Callie finds her happy Christmas. It’s their getting together that is the heart of the story and Callie’s ability to see the good and love in both young people is touching and realistic. . I loved this timely Christmas story from one of my favorite Christian authors!

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I received this e-book to read and review for free from Thomas Nelson trademark of Harper-Collins Christian Publishing, Inc. I haven't read a book in a while from Terri Blackstock. But I was excited to read this book and it reminds me of what a great writer she is. I will definitely write her name down as an author to go back and catch up on books she has written. Catching Christmas is a light read with a good dose of realism. I loved the characters of Finn, Sydney, but my favorite character is Ms. Callie. You can get help but love her enthusiasm for life as well as her determination and you never know where she is going to go next. This book is for any type of reader and would make a great book club read. This book was a quick read for me because I didn't want to put it down.

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This is a sweet story that grabs from the beginning and involves lots of emotions. The star of the story is Callie, an eighty year old grandmother with health and memory issues. Her only living relative is her granddaughter, Sidney, a first year law associate, working under pressure from the partners on a case. Sidney takes care of her grandmother, getting her fed and dressed each morning and night but has to work during the day. When her court case keeps her from taking Callie to the doctor, she has to call a cab for Callie. Finn Parrish is a chef with great credentials but had a restaurant that failed. He is driving a cab to make ends meet. When he goes to pick up Callie, she is asleep and doesn't remember that she has a doctor's appointment. Finn is drawn in to make sure that Callie sees her doctor and is stuck helping her out with Christmas shopping and other errands for the next days. Callie is hilarious. As with so many elderly people, Callie doesn't have a filter on what she says about those around her. But, Callie is a lovely, sweet person of faith. Sidney and Finn get off on the wrong foot. Finn cannot understand why Sidney can't take her grandmother to the doctor but eventually, they unite to take care of Callie. This story will have you smiling and laughing, feeling frustrated with both Finn and Sidney, sad but optimistic, happy about a life well lived and loved, and the hope that comes with the spirit of Christmas. Callie's faith and life has a profound effect of both Finn and Sidney.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions stated are mine only.

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When Finn Parish takes a call from his cab dispatcher to pick up a customer, he doesn't expect an elderly lady in a wheelchair, who may not be completely lucid. Nor does he expect to have to help her at the doctor's office, or to be called back to her house the following day. Regardless of his expectations, Finn finds himself drawn into her life, and compelled to help her, whether out of guilt, or his conscience, he's not entirely sure. He's also not sure what to make of Callie's grandaughter, Sydney, whom he at first takes to be detached and uncaring about her grandmother. Sydney, however, is fighting her own battles of trying to save her position as a first-year associate at her law firm, while caring for her ailing grandmother. As the two are drawn together through Callie's needs and wants, they each begin to see their own purposes in life with a new perspective.

Yes, it's only October, and that may seem too early to read a Christmas book, but probably not this one. While the book has Christmas in the title, and Callie's goal is to spend a nice Christmas making sure that Sydney isn't alone for the holiday, Christmas itself was just sort of tangential to the important parts of the story. Maybe it would feel more like a Christmas book if I were to read it at Christmas; who knows?

Finn was such an interesting character, I wish there were more to his story here. But it was fun to watch him go from grumpy, reluctant cab driver to really being invested in Callie's well-being, and even the anger that provoked in him at finding out who was supposed to be helping her, and making sure that the doctors were taking care of her. Sydney, also, was dealing with so much that it made her character feel more complex than the amount of information we were given about her. Trying to balance an ever-increasing work load in a job that made her question herself, versus trying to care for the grandmother who'd shown her such love as a child was taking a toll on her, and it took Finn, the former haute-cuisine chef and current cab driver, to really point out to her the choices that she still had. And, of course- Callie - even if she wasn't sure of everything going on around her, she was always kind and sweet, frequently redirecting conversations with "where are my manners"? She made it seem possible that the unlikely pairing of Finn and Sydney could be drawn together just to make her happy.

A cute book overall; I give it 4 stars. If anything, I wished for more story to delve deeper into these characters' lives, past, present and future!

You can find Catching Christmas HERE.
You can find the author's page HERE.

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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This is such a good book and very well written. It is a sweet but sad story that I read in one setting. I loved how Finn interacted with Miss Callie, some parts were laugh out loud funny and other parts were bittersweet. Don't miss this book. Thank you Thomas Nelson-Fiction via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. I was not required to write a review, all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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