Bookish Thursday - 'A Wingman For Christmas' - Book Review

After last week's guest post from author Barbara Barth, it's now time for my review of her latest book, A Wingman for Christmas. This is a review set up by the lovely people at WOW-Women on Writing. 

But let's get the business of the book out of the way. Here is a brief synopsis of the book - 

The annual Sweet Water, Georgia, Christmas parade is nearing but relationships are fractured on Wild Rose Lane. Antique dealer Cheryl Calloway's holiday spirit has tanked. It's been a horrible year with her divorce, her ex marrying younger and perkier Miriam across the street, and Mama moving into Cheryl's Victorian cottage with her Amazon parrot right before Thanksgiving. A party girl in her eighties, Mama smokes up a storm, likes her nightly vodka, has a hankering for men, and now a wingman named Nigel. If that isn't enough, the Historical Society wants Cheryl to clean up all the projects on her porch waiting to go to Spivey's Antique Mall for their Christmas Open House. Her desire to work her booth is as dead as her marriage. Miriam, President of the Historical Society, chastises her, "If it ain't pretty don't put it on the porch." Then there's Alice, her strange neighbor with the six-foot fluorescent light bulb cross nailed to the huge Magnolia tree in the middle of her rose garden. Alice watches all the neighbors too closely. Just when Cheryl thinks things can't get worse, an incident shakes her to the core, and a mystery follows revealing family secrets long forgotten. Cheryl wants to believe in miracles and love again, and Dr. James may just be the man of her dreams as he helps her and Mama sort things out.

Filled with quirky characters, mystery, family secrets, and sweet love, all set in a hot Georgia small town.

Publisher: Gilbert Street Press

ISBN-10: 0983171599

ISBN-13: 978-0983171599

ASIN: ‎B0BJ9CWHGT

Print length: 198 pages

You can buy a copy of the book here on Amazon.

When I was offered a chance to review this book I leapt on the opportunity for a couple of reasons. First, my co-worker is a Hallmark Christmas movie groupie. Full tilt! And she can't understand why I would rather watch action movies. Actually, I would rather watch anything than a Hallmark Christmas movie! I do have a couple of holiday movies I will curl up on the couch on a chilly winter evening to watch, but that's it.

Second, I did attempt to have a parrot-type bird years ago. I started with a love bird, having been told since it was not part of a pair, it would easily bond with me. Wrong! I had a vampire bird. Instead of moving to the opposite side of the cage when I opened the door, it would come at me, beak ready for blood. It was after blood, not seed.

Then I traded it for a cockatiel. Disaster! I soon gave it to a young girl with Down's Syndrome who formed an instant bond. I decided I am a bird watcher, not a bird owner.

That being said, I don't mind a cozy Christmas mystery when it's cold and drizzly outside. And since this is a novella, it is well suited for a cup or two of hot tea or cocoa on the couch while covered up with a soft blanket.

Also, being from the South, it seems it's not uncommon to have a break-up and find yourself still at gatherings, or living across the street, from your ex. Everyone knows everyone else in a small town!

A Wingman for Christmas is everything you need for a fun read. You have the main character just trying to put her life together after a divorce, only to find she is now caring for her mother and her mother's bird, Nigel. (Note - Nigel is what I call my GPS on my phone. I have it set to a British male voice.) 

And Christmas is a tough holiday anyway. It's all about friends and family and gatherings and all you want is to have it over with. Instead, there is a kidnapped bird, a boozy, man-crazy mom, the looming Christmas parade past your house among other things.

A quick read and a fun one, just in time for the holidays!

For more on Barbara Barth and her writing, check out these other posts!

Blog Tour Calendar

November 28th @ WOW! Women on Writing

Join us at our blog The Muffin to celebrate the launch of A Wingman for Christmas. We're interviewing the author and giving away a copy of her book to one lucky reader.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

November 30th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog

Join Anthony as he reviews A Wingman for Christmas. A perfect novella for the holiday season!

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

December 1st @ Deborah-Zenha Adams

Visit Deborah's blog where she shares a guest post by author Barbara Barth about how many editors you really need.

http://www.deborah-adams.com/

December 3rd @ Pages and Paws

Kristine shares her review of the charming holiday novella A Wingman for Christmas.

https://pagesandpaws.com/

December 5th @ One Writer's Journey

Join Sue as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

December 6th @ Michelle Cornish's Blog

Join Michelle as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas. A must-read novella for the holiday season!

https://www.michellecornishauthor.com/blog

December 7th @ The Frugalista Mom

Rochie shares her review of A Wingman for Christmas and gives away a copy of the book to one lucky reader.

https://thefrugalistamom.com

December 8th @ Knotty Needle

Visit Judy's blog as she features a guest post by Barbara Barth about starting a writing group.

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com

December 9th @ A Storybook World

Visit Deirdra's blog for a spotlight on A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.

http://www.astorybookworld.com/

December 10th @ Michelle Cornish's Blog

Visit Michelle's site as she features author Barbara Barth's guest post on encouraging others to write.

https://www.michellecornish.com/blog

December 12th @ Storeybook Review

Leslie shares her thoughts about this fun novella A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.

https://storeybookreviews.com

December 13th @ Bring on Lemons

Join Crystal as she shares this fun holiday novella A Wingman for Christmas.

https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

December 14th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Visit Beverley's blog as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

December 14th @ Avonna Loves Genres

Join Avonna as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.

https://avonnalovesgenres.com/

December 15th @ One Writer' Journey

Visit Sue's blog where she features a guest post by Barbara Barth about finding inspiration around you.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

December 15th @ Knotty Needle

Visit Judy's blog again as she shares her thoughts about Barbara Barth's fun holiday read A Wingman for Christmas.

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com

December 16th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Join Beverley as she features a guest post by author Barbara Barth about writing fiction versus memoir.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

December 18th @ Life According to Jamie

Jamie will be reviewing a fun novella for the holiday season: A Wingman for Christmas. 

https://lifeaccordingtojamie.com/

December 19th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews

Join Lisa as she interviews author Barbara Barth about her book A Wingman for Christmas.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

December 20th @ Word Magic

Visit Fiona's blog as she features a guest post by Barbara Barth about researching your topic as well as your time frame.

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

December 21st @ World of My Imagination

Visit Nicole's blog as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas.

https://worldofmyimagination.com/