Christmas in Newfoundland

I voluntary read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this book.

What a delightful collection of stories of Christmas during hard times in Newfoundland. It is insightful as to how Christmas is celebrated in another country. The expectations of children the world over is much the same but the things they dream about are different. If you loved “A Christmas Story” then you will really like this one.

The weather is unpredictable, the people you meet are memorable and you will want to go to Newfoundland just to experience it for yourself. Sgt. Windflower, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, keeps the town safe and makes sure everyone’s Christmas arrives as it should. Grab a cup of tea and sit back to really enjoy several great stories that will put you in mood for the holidays.

#ChristmasinNewfoundland#NetGalley

Newfoundland, RCMP, family, friendship, Christmas

The Mountie remembers good Christmases in their small town as he was growing up and as an adult in Newfoundland. Good memories of small town Northland with the anticipations of children and the many kindnesses of others. Lifts the spirits and restores a measure of faith in others.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Books Go Social via NetGalley. Thank you!

This is a solid collection of stories. Martin has talent and it shows here with a variety of stories that effectively evoke a winter atmosphere and emotions with a nice style. Recommended.

I really appreciate the NetGalley copy for review!!

Christmas in Newfoundland - Memories and Mysteries by Mike Martin was an enjoyable read. I liked the plots and the characters and the Christmas theme. This is a collection of stories. It brings back memories from my own life.

If you ever wanted to experience Christmas in a different place and/or time, this set of short stories set in Newfoundland around the area of Grand Banks and St. John's will provide both. Some of the short stories take place in the past while others are in the present. Its stories touch on the traditions of the places and are definitely evocative of something completely different. Each story shows what Christmas meant or means to a particular person at a particular time. These are not grand stories; rather, they are quite small in scope, a little slice of life of a particular Christmas for a particular person. I've heard or read somewhere that novellas and novels are about character while short stories are about an idea. The idea of these short stories is the meaning of Christmas in relatively small towns where life is mostly uncomplicated and people find strength in traditions and in each other. I found the collection to be gently heartwarming Each story is short, so could be read over a work break or a lunch period. Travel the Newfoundland for Christmas without leaving your couch.

Thank you to NETGALLEY for an advance copy of this book.

I truly enjoyed this charming little book of Christmas stories and mysteries. They transport you back to a time gone by. You will want to curl up in front of the fire with a hot toddy and enjoy the experience and the thoughts of the holiday season and celebrations to come.

Enjoy this gem....I certainly did.

I was honestly not sure what this book would bring. I have never read Mike Martin or about Sargent Windflower. I was pleasantly surprised. This book is so fun and nostalgic. This tells stories of winter and Christmas. Set in Canada, these stories brought back wonderful memories of times when life wasn't so fast paced. The author paints such vivid pictures that the reader only has to close their eyes to feel and see the story. Christmas time is a favorite of mine. However, in recent years it has become more about money then about memories and family. It was so nice to slow down and enjoy Christmas. The anticipation of children, the love of couples are some of the best times. I look forward to reading more by this author. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

For someone whose family hails from Newfoundland and have lived on "The Rock" for generations upon generations, this novel was so beautifully nostalgic that I found myself smiling throughout the entire time I was reading it. The work is wonderful, warm, and charming as we walk with the author down memory lane to simpler times in one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada. I loved reading about the traditional Newfoundland celebrations and I was immediately transported to St. John's, walking alongside the gorgeous buildings that exude history. The work is just one big warm hug that will bring back fond memories to every reader, regardless of where they hail from. You will also fall in love with the cast of characters and will be inspired to take a trip to Newfoundland yourself to experience the warmth of the locals, the magic of Christmas, and the mouth-watering, to-die-for home cooking.
A must-read for anyone looking for a cozy novel or in the mood for times gone by, b'ye.

Seasons Greetings! If the most wonderful time of the year is getting to be too hectic and stressful for you, then let this charming book transport you 50 years back to Christmas in Grand Banks, Newfoundland.

At Christmas time, Grand Banks was either fogbound, snowbound, or both. In addition to plenty of weather, there was also an abundance of love and goodwill. This series of nostalgic short stories will transport you to a simpler time. You will read about the special “first times” of Christmas, the first time a young boy rides the bus with his family to see the Christmas lights around town, the first time he stays up to see the visit of the mummers. I also enjoyed the stories of the first Christmas in a new house, the first with a baby brother, and the first Christmas with a wife and adorable young daughter.

One of the most heart-warming stories was about the first time it seemed that Christmas might be postponed. Each story is simple and calm, a gem that sparkles with the Christmas blessings of love and hope. “He prayed for those who might be alone or troubled this Christmas morning…he reminded himself to be grateful for all he had received and the love that this place held in his heart.” Charming illustrations accompany each story, too.

What a delightful book to read in a quiet moment by yourself or to read aloud with your family. Many thanks to the author Mike Martin for a sweet selection of stories, and to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

"A Coke was a dime, a bag of chips five cents..."

Can you imagine heading down to the nearest convenience store and paying those prices? Mike Martin takes us way back to a time when Christmas was quite different but just as surreal and exciting as it is today.

I enjoyed reading the short Christmas stories in his collection of Christmas in Newfoundland. I loved reading the simpleness and cheer and of actually going to bed and dreaming of Santa coming. Alot of kids today have lost that magic and expect so much whereas children back in those days were happy to get a dolly, a toy truck, or even just a piece of fruit and a couple pieces of candy in their "real stockings" that were "actually" hung by the fireplace to dry!

It was a time of joy and hushed secrets. A time of family gatherings and sledding in lieu of video games. A time to cozy up by the fireplace and watch Christmas shows or bedtime stories with your family.

It was just so nice having a piece of yesteryear to look back at.

*I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

I gave up reading this book half way through, not my taste I’m afraid. The book is however well written and if you like to read memoirs of a bygone era then I am sure you will enjoy this look at life in a Newfoundland community who survive the bitter winters pre central heating and modern conveniences.

Christmas in Newfoundland, by Mike Martin was so much more than I expected. My family is from Newfoundland, so I was interested in the topic. But this book took me on more of a journey than I expected.

Very well written and something I would purchase for family members.

I received this book for review purposes through NetGalley. All opinions and comments are my own.
This is a delightful combination of mystery story and memoir. The author grew up in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. He tells of Christmas as a child with simplicity and snowy weather, Catholic upbringing and family memories. Between the memories, he writes a cozy mystery with engaging characters and Christmas cheer. This is a fine example of Canadian writing and memories. I recommend this book as a Christmas book to be treasured and enjoyed yearly.

I started this book after having read an article about the return of the Mummer tradition on Newfoundland.
This book is sweet and make you wish to be there with the lovely cast of characters.
I think it's well written and engrossing, and entertaining read that kept me hooked.
I will keep track of this author because I want to read other works by him.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Christmas spirit in Newfoundland!

What can I say. Windflower's Christmas stories are as I expected redolent with that Newfoundland spirit of independence, the joy of simple pleasures and communal eccentricities.
Set in both Grand Bank and St. John's I could easily picture the houses and streets described in St. John's, the areas of the town, the snow, the excitement and traditions of Christmas, and the tragedies.
I loved the illustrations provided by the 'young artists from the Visual Arts Program at Canterbury High School in Ottawa.' They aptly depict my memories of the St. John's houses in rows and their colorful exteriors.
I loved the Grand Bank Christmas tales, "where gifts were few and love was plenty. Those were the days when the snow and a homemade sled were sufficient entertainment, the nights were filled with kerosene lamps and laughter, and the twelve days of Christmas were a time for family, friends and roving bands of mummers."
In turn we are treated to Martin's memories of St. John's in the 1960's and Windflower's recollections of events, places, characters around the Grand Bank community.
I was won over by the St. John's moments of shopping in the Arcade, the trip around town by bus to view the lights, the battle in Grand Bank to get Christmas presents delivered in time when the town was snowed in! I was completely turned with the advent of the Christmas present record player and the accompanying vinyls, featuring some of my childhood delights, the "Witch Doctor with a crazy chorus that went “ooo eee, ooh ah ah ting tang, walla walla, bing bang.” Running Bear by Johnny Preston and Tom Dooley by the Kingston Trio (I drove my parents crazy singing that off key around the house fully convinced I was to be the next great folk singer. Not!)
Told with love and generosity, I was fully immersed and loving every moment of these literary gems from Martin. And of course to my mind, Windflower should be a Canadian national treasure!

A BooksGoSocial ARC via NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Ottawa Press and Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The author brought clear visuals of the holiday season with his easy, charming writing style. It was enjoyable to read traditions and stories from Newfoundland. It would be a .lovely read for anyone not familiar with that part of Canada.

One of my favourite features of this book (one that I've not seen a lot) is the pen drawings in the chapters. They're so very well done and compliment the writing. A lovely visual aide.

A lovely gentle read, painting a picture of Christmases in Newfoundland back in the fifties and sixties, juxtaposed with stories set in modern times. The stories are self-contained, although the policeman Winston Windflower does appear in all the modern tales. They are well chosen, and are an easy and entertaining read to get you in the mood for real Christmases - with snow, children, and hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The visual loveliness of this book made me love it. I could smell the salt air and feel the bitter cold. The shopping,, the drives around town, the love and simplicity. This beautiful nostalgic book is one to be savored page by page. Loved it!

This is basically a series of short stories. Each chapter can be read as a stand alone tale. This is part of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in Canada. Sgt. Windflower is a little older so his memories of St. Johns have buggy rides to church and village wide potluck dinners. As a member of the Mounties he also has some modern stories of saving Christmas with snow mobiles and multi town efforts. I enjoy this series and it was fun seeing some of the regular characters in the Christmas setting. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What a lovely book short stories mysteries of life in New found land.A perfect book to curl up with and enjoy the people the place really enjoyed.#netgalley #booksgosocial

“Christmas in Newfoundland” features a series of short stories about Christmas celebrations, mysteries, and adventures set in Newfoundland. This book was a joy to read, since it included likeable characters who were kind to each other and enjoyed their Christmas time together. Although some weather conditions made the going tough, the Canadian Mounted Police came to the rescue in several situations and saved Christmas for their communities. I liked the length of the stories, many of which seemed like reminiscing by the author about his own life. I intend to read more of the Sergeant Windflower stories written by this author.

I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Christmas in Newfoundland is a lovely book of short stories, featuring the author as a small boy and the character he created, Sergeant Windflower. These stories are perfect for cold nights spent reading by the fire.

I would recommend this title to anyone looking for Christmas stories. It would also make a lovely stocking stuffer.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#ChristmasinNewfoundland#NetGalley

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these stories. It was a quick read and perfect for winding down after a busy day.

I really liked this collection of stories. He is an excellent writer and I liked the idea of short stories. They were also evocative of Holidays and really nice themes.
I would highly recommend this book especially at Christmastime.

This is a sweet and touching collection of short stories about Christmas in Newfoundland, past and present. They all illustrate the meaning of Christmas in one way or another and centre around Sergeant Windflower of the Mounties. I can’t help thinking of him as the local Santa Claus.
The cold and wintry settings of the stories contrasts with their warm, rich atmosphere provided by the local community. This is a book to curl up with during the run-up to Christmas, or any time when you want to experience a little bit of Christmas magic.
The author has a very easy and approachable style that’s delightful and rewarding to read. The whole book is gentle and uplifting, and I really enjoyed it.

A cosy and nostalgic novel, revisiting Christmas' of the past, some memorable, some mysterious, but all delightful. It's entertaining, charming and the perfect way to escape great skies and bad weather while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa, and a roaring fire,

This is a warm and wonderful read, being a collection of stories from Christmas in Newfoundland in the 1950s and 1960s.

The author takes us to a time when Christmas was celebrated in years-old traditional ways, and brings us tales of ordinary people just going about their lives in that time and setting.

Apparently, the characters found here are from the Sgt. Windflower mystery series, but the stories stand alone without any previous background. That said, having read this book, I plan to investigate the series.

I found it interesting how these stories paralleled in many ways my memories of Christmas in Millbrae, California in the 1940s and 1950s. The traditions and the snowy setting are not the same, but the warmth and importance of family relationships and traditions were quite similar. The stories are enhanced with very appealing illustrations by young artists in the community.

This is a delightful book, and would make a first-Christmas gift for friends and family.

My thanks to author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in return for an honest review.