The Christmas Clock

Sylvia Winters' decision to spare Joe Dixon grief may have been a mistake, but at the time, she thought it was her only choice. Eight years later, Syl is back in Dreyerville coming face to face with the man she loved and lost. Joe Dixon's life changed forever when Syl left him. He's managed to put the pieces back together, except for the hole in his heart where Syl used to be. Their reunion is emotional, unlike the marriage that Doris and Floyd Culver have. Doris and Floyd have grown comfortable leading separate lives. Lottie Sparks is Doris' friend. Her life is drastically changing and her grandson Teddy's future hangs in the balance. With Teddy's help, maybe these couples will find happiness again. A birdhouse, an antique clock, and little boy mend the relationships of two couples and bring peace to an aging woman in The Christmas Clock. Syl and Joe's romance is tumultuous and eventually, very heartwarming. Doris and Floyd experience what many couples do after spending such a long time together, and sweet Lottie's tale is heartbreaking and very realistic. With a bit of an old fashioned feel, Kat Martin ties the characters of The Christmas Clock together with powerful emotion and a deep sense of love. The Christmas Clock is a poignant story of second chances that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. Nannette Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin - Review by Susan R. Stoltz Vanguard Press Copyright 2009 by Kat Martin ISBN 9781593155476 143 Pages Synopsis: With three very strong story lines this book is a bit out of the ordinary for Kat Martin, and absolutely delightful. Although the romance is certainly prevalent, the main characters in the book are Lottie Sparks and her eight year old grandson Teddy. Lottie is aware that she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and is desperately trying to figure out what to do with Teddy yet everyday she loses another piece of herself. Sylvia Winters has returned to her hometown and must ultimately face Joe Dixon her former fiancé. He doesn't understand why she broke off their engagement eight years ago. Their lives went in two different directions and it will take a Christmas miracle for each to find love and forgiveness. Doris and Floyd Culver are middle-aged and have been married for many years. They aren't terribly unhappy, but don't seem to know how to find their way back to each other again. Their relationship is comfortable if not loving. This phenomenon is not unusual in long term relationships and certainly will strike a chord with many. Review: If ever there was a book that should be made into a Hallmark Christmas movie, this would be it. The instant you begin to read you know where the plot is going, but the complicated uncertainty of how the characters will get there entices you to read on. The relationship between Teddy and Lottie Sparks is heart wrenching. How is the eight year old going to manage with Lottie's Alzheimer's disease progressing rapidly? Teddy secretly works to earn money to buy a Victorian clock for his grandmother for Christmas. But when social services take him away just before the holiday he wonders what will become of his grandmother and of their lives together. Syl and Joe have complications all their own. Each has survived extreme hardship, but Syl has to try to explain to Joe why she broke the engagement off so many years ago. These two characters are strong and believable. And despite the mistakes both made in the past I wished for them to reconcile right from the start. The descriptive passages in this book were terrific. You could smell the bakery, hear the noise in the car repair shop and visualize the Christmas displays in the windows of the tiny downtown shops. I would recommend this book to any and all who want a feel good Christmas story that makes you want to smile and cry at the same time. It's a special story about the spirit behind the holiday and possibility despite loss and hardship. What others are saying about this book: "Warm, loving, and heartfelt - the true Christmas gift all wrapped up in Kat's wonderful new book." - Joan Singleton/Screenwriter/Producer "Through it all the author keeps hope alive as we get involved with this group of people. Christmas is coming. Perhaps the joys of the season will help these characters. This is a special book

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 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.

The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin October 13th, 2009 5 stars 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 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 Club

In Dreyerville, Michigan, Teddy Winter is sad as his beloved grandmother, Lottie, who has raised him, is suffering from Alzheimer's; he watches helplessly as she rapidly loses her faculties. Lottie loves her grandson and in her lucid moments in between the fog, she knows what is happening to her; she is not concerned about herself, but worries about Teddy who will be an orphan living who knows where and with whom. Meanwhile Teddy has one goal. He needs to find a way to buy a Victorian hand-painted clock that reminds Lottie of her childhood and even in the fog state gives her some peace. He persuades Joe the mechanic, to allow him to work in his garage station. Joe becomes fond of Teddy, but knows his prison record precludes him from taking care of the lad as he wants. He also knows he still has acrimonious feelings towards the person, his former fiancée, who he holds responsible for his drunken rage that led to his killing a man. THE CHRISTMAS CLOCK is a fascinating Yuletide relationship drama as redemption and forgiveness are fostered by love and caring for others. Fans of uplifting holiday tales will appreciate this allegorical novella through three lost souls finding a small peace on earth with one another if they take a chance reaching out through the darkness to the shining light of love as symbolized by the clock. Harriet Klausner