Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this Christmas: planning the greatest holiday ever and her youngest son's football game. But when she's asked to sub for the school mascot in a fish costume, organize the annual church tea, and cope with children who can't come home, will it take a miracle to restore her cheer?
Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this holiday season: planning the greatest family Christmas ever and cheering on her youngest son’s team in their bid for the state championship. Disaster strikes when the team loses their mascot—the Trout. Is it going too far to ask her to don the costume? So what if her husband has also volunteered her to organize the church Christmas tea. When football playoffs start ramping up, the Christmas tea starts falling apart. Then, one by one her children tell her they can’t come home for Christmas. As life starts to unravel, will Marianne remember the true meaning of the holidays?
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
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4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sandra Orr (Poughkeepsie, NY), December 28, 2009
This was an absolutely adorable story. It's a quick read. I'm looking foward to more of Susan Mae Warrens' books. She's one of my favorite authors.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah Muller (Springfield, IL), December 07, 2009
It was funny and made me cry, it was so much like my life. Moms, it is a great little read for Christmas.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carrie (Yorktown, VA), November 24, 2009
I would strongly suggest that you pick up a copy of this book and hide somewhere and read it without interruption. A great read! This will get you into the Christmas spirit and help you focus on the real reason for the season. Ms. Warren has a great author's voice and a wonderful style. A good example of why she is an award-winning author. I was trying to stay away from the CBD box where this book was waiting but I grabbed it and stayed up late and read this book all the way through. Order it now!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by amydeanne (canada), November 17, 2009
First, I will admit, it’s a bit different than Susan’s usual style. I was delighted and surprised with this book.
Susan does a great job at making her characters come to life. There are moments I was in tears and moments I laughed out loud. It was also inspirational. I really felt like I got something out of it. The mother in me could really relate to Marianne. The emotions, the feelings of being torn about Christmas because of how it changes over the years.
Anyhow, The great Christmas Bowl does not disappoint. You’ll be enchanted with Susan's new book and fall in love with it. (I’m hoping that maybe there will be future books with her new characters??? hint hint —– if you’re reading this!)
2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Holly (Dsicvoery Bay,Ca), November 04, 2009
Maybe it's me..but I had a hard time getting into it as I do not like football,and it seems even though there were good morals and lessons expressed in the book,it is mainly about football things,so I couldn't identify.I did like the ending..but it seemed tedious at times to get though the book,although the recipe for clam chowder seems worth trying.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michelle Sutton (AZ), October 12, 2009
Normally I skip over holiday-themed books. They just don't do much for me. But Susan May Warren is an author that typically entertains as well as encourages me. I knew that any story she'd write about the holidays would be funny and realistic. So I tried this story and I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't sappy or goofy. Rather, it was hilariously cute and a bit sentimental, but in a good way. I loved the trout theme and the motherly sentiment and reflection. I could totally see Susan's personality in this story, and I loved how it was written in the witty and charming style of her Josie series. One thing I particularly enjoyed was how the mother realized that God had somehow matured her grown children by story's end. She instilled in them the value of giving and the Lord did the work in their hearts. My two sons are almost finished with high school and they are a lot like Kevin. Her relationship with her son made me smile because it looks so similar to mine.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah (Reston, VA), September 29, 2009
This is probably one of the best Christmas novellas I've ever read. Yes it's short, but it gets to the point and it's sweet and funny and it totally gets you in the mood for Christmas. The way the book started, I was worried that it would fall in the trap of moms who find themselves empty nesters and make everyone else feel sorry for them. The other potential overused storyline trap would be a mom who does too much for everyone else because she can't say no and has a weak backbone. However instead I read about a mom who loves her kids and will do anything for them including potentially humiliating herself in front of the whole town. Would you (or your mom) dress up as what could possibly be the worst mascot of all time, a trout? I love reading about Marianne's adventures as as fish, from starting out being self conscious and scaring kids to just hamming it up in front of the crowd. She obviously love her kids very much and I did feel sorry for her when they didn't come home from the holidays. It made me think about how next time, I should give my parents at least some notice if I can't make it for the holidays.
Plus there's a yummy clam chowder recipe featured in the story and as a huge clam chowder fan I swooned. The recipe is included so you can try it out for yourself. If you're itching to get into the Christmas mood now, this book is perfect for you. It packs a lot of punch for a short story but by the end you'll clearly get the point. Along the way, it'll bring a lot of laughs, a lot of love, and a lot of trout.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sally (Odessa, FL), September 27, 2009
This charming, feel-good Christmas novella reads quickly. I completed it in one twenty-four hour period and found it filled with humor, wrapped with good common sense. Scenes such as when Mike walks in on Marianne as she struggles to wiggle out of her trout suit gave me a chuckle.
Christmas hospitality is the theme. A quote I liked enough to copy states,"Christmas isn't just one place and one way" (108). If you choose to read it, it'll help put you in the holiday mood.
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