Collection
Description
"Teddy Williams was eight years old that Christmas, too young to understand all the undercurrents swirling around him in the tiny Michigan town of Dreyerville. He wasn't able to value that Christmas for the miracle it truly was. Teddy only knew he wanted to buy the beautiful Victorian clock in the window of Tremont's Antiques as a gift for his grandmother, Lottie Sparks, a woman desperate to find him a home before her rapidly progressing Alzheimer's left him an orphan. Teddy didn't know that in trying to buy the clock he would meet Sylvia Winters and Joe Dixon, a couple, once in love, desperate to overcome the past. He didn't know he would form a friendship with his neighbors, Floyd and Doris Culver, two people struggling to revive their long-dead marriage. He didn't know that these people would fill his Christmas with magic and hope; that the love of his friends would change his world, and that he would forever change theirs."--dust cover flap.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member reading_crystal
This is your perfect holiday feel good read. The note I made myself in my notebook while reading this says, "You know where this book is going from the start, but the joy of this book is reading how it gets there." And that is so true. After 10 or so pages you know exactly who was talking in the
I fell in love with the small town and the characters. There are actually several stories going on with Syl and Joe's old romance and strange circumstances to Syl's leaving town years ago being at the forefront. The other stories involve Lottie Sparks trying to find a home for Teddy Sparks because she has Alzheimer's. And the final story is between Doris and Floyd Culver whose marriage is showing wear from the years together.
Kat Martin weaves these three storylines magically together and it's a pure feel good novel. I loved the romance of the book. It's a wonderful story to read during the magical Christmas season. It reminds you there is good out there and if you try you can find it.
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prologue and how it will end, but the journey is amazing.I fell in love with the small town and the characters. There are actually several stories going on with Syl and Joe's old romance and strange circumstances to Syl's leaving town years ago being at the forefront. The other stories involve Lottie Sparks trying to find a home for Teddy Sparks because she has Alzheimer's. And the final story is between Doris and Floyd Culver whose marriage is showing wear from the years together.
Kat Martin weaves these three storylines magically together and it's a pure feel good novel. I loved the romance of the book. It's a wonderful story to read during the magical Christmas season. It reminds you there is good out there and if you try you can find it.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
This is one of those books that you know the outcome even before you turn the first page. But you also know the plot of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Does that stop you from watching it? No, and it shouldn’t. At Christmas you have a built-in excuse to watch and read heart-warming, obvious
The Christmas Clock is the story of Teddy Winters, who lost his single mom at age four, and now, age eight, lives with his grandma Lottie. But Lottie has been stricken with early-onset Alzheimer’s, and it is only a matter of time until darkness will totally descend on her mind. When that happens, Teddy will be taken from Lottie and handed over to Social Services. Teddy doesn’t know this, however, and takes on a number of little jobs so he can buy his grandma the small hand-painted clock she has wanted for so long.
One of Teddy’s jobs is working for Joe Dixon, who at 29, is getting his life on track after having served in prison three years for involuntary manslaughter. He had gotten in a fight in a bar, punched a guy, and the man hit his head on the way down and died. Joe was in the bar drinking because the love of his life, Sybil, had broken up with him and left town right before their marriage. What Joe didn’t know was that Sybil broke it off because she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and she knew how much Joe wanted a family.
Sybil, cancer free for six years, moves back to Dreyerville, Michigan, and sees Joe again. She and Joe realize they never stopped loving one another. (Sybil is still beautiful, and Joe has more rippling muscles than ever, but what: you were expecting another Jimmy Stewart?)
Evaluation: You can guess the outcome of this story. But does that mean you shouldn’t read it? Does that mean you still won’t enjoy it? The answer to both questions is “No way!” This is a story you’ll love reading every year, along with the rest of the Christmas oeuvre.
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stories that make you cry and feel good all at once.The Christmas Clock is the story of Teddy Winters, who lost his single mom at age four, and now, age eight, lives with his grandma Lottie. But Lottie has been stricken with early-onset Alzheimer’s, and it is only a matter of time until darkness will totally descend on her mind. When that happens, Teddy will be taken from Lottie and handed over to Social Services. Teddy doesn’t know this, however, and takes on a number of little jobs so he can buy his grandma the small hand-painted clock she has wanted for so long.
One of Teddy’s jobs is working for Joe Dixon, who at 29, is getting his life on track after having served in prison three years for involuntary manslaughter. He had gotten in a fight in a bar, punched a guy, and the man hit his head on the way down and died. Joe was in the bar drinking because the love of his life, Sybil, had broken up with him and left town right before their marriage. What Joe didn’t know was that Sybil broke it off because she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and she knew how much Joe wanted a family.
Sybil, cancer free for six years, moves back to Dreyerville, Michigan, and sees Joe again. She and Joe realize they never stopped loving one another. (Sybil is still beautiful, and Joe has more rippling muscles than ever, but what: you were expecting another Jimmy Stewart?)
Evaluation: You can guess the outcome of this story. But does that mean you shouldn’t read it? Does that mean you still won’t enjoy it? The answer to both questions is “No way!” This is a story you’ll love reading every year, along with the rest of the Christmas oeuvre.
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LibraryThing member BookaholicsReviewer
The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin
October 13th, 2009
5 stars
"Heartwarming and touching holiday story"
This is my favorite time of year! I always look forward to getting into the holiday spirit with a really good book. The Christmas Clock was perfect! It was a delightful read that kicked off the
In the "The Christmas Clock" Kat Martin creates a strong and powerful story which focuses around a little boy Teddy Winters. It begins in present day with the boy grown as a young man who reflects on the events based off of this special Christmas story. That Christmas Teddy was determined to buy his dear grandmother a beautiful antique clock. This endearing novel describes how Teddy does his best to attain his goal and purchase this precious gift. Within this boy's life are various people in his community that come to forever change his world. The clock serves as the centerpiece for Teddy's actions and the people who enter his life. And results in a series of events and situations which will arise within the months before Christmas. There are elements of true love and romance which strengthen and survive that I found very touching.
A heartwarming and poignant holiday story that you must read! This is truly a timeless Christmas story that is destined to uplift your spirits and become a classic.
Reviewed by Monica from the Bookaholic Romance Book Clu
October 13th, 2009
5 stars
"Heartwarming and touching holiday story"
This is my favorite time of year! I always look forward to getting into the holiday spirit with a really good book. The Christmas Clock was perfect! It was a delightful read that kicked off the
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season and filled me with joy and good cheer. In the "The Christmas Clock" Kat Martin creates a strong and powerful story which focuses around a little boy Teddy Winters. It begins in present day with the boy grown as a young man who reflects on the events based off of this special Christmas story. That Christmas Teddy was determined to buy his dear grandmother a beautiful antique clock. This endearing novel describes how Teddy does his best to attain his goal and purchase this precious gift. Within this boy's life are various people in his community that come to forever change his world. The clock serves as the centerpiece for Teddy's actions and the people who enter his life. And results in a series of events and situations which will arise within the months before Christmas. There are elements of true love and romance which strengthen and survive that I found very touching.
A heartwarming and poignant holiday story that you must read! This is truly a timeless Christmas story that is destined to uplift your spirits and become a classic.
Reviewed by Monica from the Bookaholic Romance Book Clu
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LibraryThing member wakela
For a pint-sized book it sure packs a big league whallop! I had fully expected to leisurely read a few pages before heading to sleep. I couldn't put this book down! I really loved the characters. I felt so bad for Lettie. It's horrible dealing with an older person who has Alzheimer's but its even
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scarier being the person who is the one doing all the forgetting.Fair warning though, keep tissues next to you for when you are reading. I cried both tears of sadness and tears of joy. This is a definite must read for the holiday season! Show Less
LibraryThing member LauGal
Lovely,seasonal story of hope,love and redemption.By page 30 the ending was predictable BUT it was a warm lovely story to read.Nice for the Christmas season!
Publication
Vanguard Press (2009), 143 pages
Pages
143
ISBN
9781593155476