Christmas Stories

By Patricia Koelle

Kathy’s big brother Robert surprises her with an early Christmas gift she will never forget. A family uses the magic of memories to make it snow. Liam secretly distributes mail that has an amazing effect, Freddie discovers amazing treasure in his Christmas tree and a postman is puzzled by an extraordinary sight when he passes Julius’ house in the morning.
These poignant and touching stories capture the essence of our endeavors to rouse the spirit of Christmas. They carry simple but often forgotten messages, appropriate for uncertain times in which we need to rediscover the less tangible things in life that bring us joy and satisfaction. The characters experience ways to ward off despair and discover what makes their lives worthwhile. Their encouraging stories illustrate ways of coping with the human condition and offer a memorable reading experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Henss, Ronald
• Release date: Jul 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9783939937708

Patricia Koelle

SPIEGEL-ONLINE-Bestseller-Autorin Patrica Koelle Die deutsch-amerikanische Autorin Patricia Koelle, geboren 1964, lebt mit ihrem Mann in Berlin. Ihre Eltern zeigten ihr, wie man auch verrückte Träume wahrmachen kann und dass Ideen nicht als etwas Außergewöhnliches, sondern als eine Selbstverständlichkeit zu betrachten sind. Dies prägt ihr Schreiben ebenso wie ihre Kindheit im geteilten Berlin und die erlebte Wiedervereinigung. Ihre Geschichten und Romane erzählen von den greifbaren Wundern im wirklichen Leben und von den kauzigen und liebenswerten Helden, die wir nebenan finden können oder selbst sind, ohne es bemerkt zu haben. Die bildhafte Sprache fängt den Leser ein, lässt ihn in die Texte reisen und mit einem erfrischten Blick für den heimlichen Glanz im Alltag wieder auftauchen. Aber Vorsicht: mancher mag entdecken, dass er von dieser Reise eine neue Hoffnung oder einen überraschenden Wunsch mitgebracht hat. Mit ihrem Roman "Das Meer in deinem Namen" gelang ihr ein Bestsellererfolg. Er stand im November 2013 eine Woche lang auf Platz 1 der eBook-Bestsellerliste von Amazon und wurde von der Amazon-Redaktion zu den Best of Kindle-Deal der Woche im Jahr 2013 gewählt. Dank des großen Erfolgs erscheinen ihre Romane nun im Fischer Verlag. Bereits im Fischer Verlag erschienen sind die beiden ersten Bände der Ostsee-Trilogie "Das Meer in deinem Namen" und "Das Licht in deiner Stimme". Die Taschenbuchausgaben von "Das Meer in deinem Namen" und "Das Licht in deiner Stimme" haben beide bereits in der ersten Woche nach Erscheinen einen Platz auf der Liste der SPIEGEL ONLINE Bestseller erobert!

Book preview

How to make it snow

„Dad, why is it raining when it’s freezing?" Sophy stared out the window. The puddles in the garden were frozen, but ordinary rain was falling from the grey sky, not the snow she was waiting for. Dad lit a fire even though it wasn’t dark yet. He didn’t like the wet grey either. Then he came to sit by the window next to Sophy.

I have no idea he said.

In the olden days there was always snow for Christmas, Grandma Kate claimed and wiped the window pane energetically with an enormous cloth as if that would help.

Grandpa Bob came from the kitchen with a plate in his hand, followed by Sophy’s big brother Chris.

Look here, Tessa made cookies! He passed them around. I know why it isn’t snowing in spite of the cold.

Why, Grandpa Bob? Sophy looked up at him expectantly. He had a beautiful white beard and always treated her as if she were grownup. His stories were exciting. Too bad he lived far away and could only come to visit them for Christmas. When she was small she had thought he was Santa. But now she was seven and knew that Santa would not complain about the price of gasoline.

The sky is too clean! announced Grandpa Bob. I heard it in the radio. You know, snowflakes are tiny crystals that grow when it’s cold. They look like beautiful small stars when you look at them closely.

Yes, but why don’t they grow now? It’s cold enough!

They need something to grow around. Every snowflake needs a kernel to hold onto, a speck of dust so it can grow. Well, and when there is no dust at all in the air, there can be no snow.

I bet Tessa dusted and vacuumed up there, too, remarked Dad, who didn’t like it when Sophy’s mother cleaned the house from top to bottom before Christmas and turned everything inside out, even his desk.

And how can we make the sky dusty? demanded Sophy of Grandpa Bob, who always knew everything.

We could move to the city, they have dirt in the sky every day from all the factories and cars, Chris said eagerly. Nothing ever happens out here anyway.

No, no, protested Grandma Kate, The city only gives you a cough and bad temper.

I already have the bad temper, Chris pointed out. It’s boring here. We can’t even build a snowman.

Have a cookie, it helps, Mother said, smiling. She had come in from the kitchen bearing a tray loaded with steaming cups of hot chocolate. Can’t we do anything about the missing dust in the sky?

We could shoot your bellowing vacuum cleaner to the moon, maybe it’ll lose enough dust on the way, Dad suggested. He pretended to be grumpy, but Sophy saw him winking at mother.

Grandpa Bob cleared his throat. Thoughtfully he peered