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Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson is one of these
special stories. A word of warning, it is not a “sugar
and spice and everything nice” holiday novel. Yet, it
is very realistic, believable, and leaves the reader with
a good feeling as the book ends, a feeling of hope and redemption.
The story presents different generations. The McClendon’s
have come to Montana to fulfill a dream of making a life here
in Rustlers Gulch. Three generations of a mother, son, and
grandson must learn to battle the Montana wilderness. It plays
such a big role that it is like a secondary character. Readers
learn of the ranch life, how a Bull Moose can be dangerous
to one’s health, and the weather’s unforgiving
attitude with horrific winds and knee-high snow levels.
Having moved to Montana Anderson wants to incorporate what
she was visualizing. “As I looked out my window I knew
I had to put this setting into the story. I consider Montana
a tremendous place, rich in scenery and with such friendly
people. Here I was sitting in the middle of an alfalfa field
in a trailer while my house was being built facing this brutal
winter and a Christmas without a home. Lucky me, it was a
record breaking winter where snow was up to the tops of my
boots.”
Besides battling the inclement weather the McClendon’s
must also deal with the unfriendly neighbor Sam Conacher.
Embittered by the death of his wife six years ago has left
him possessive of his twenty-six year old daughter, Kirstin.
She goes along with his wishes because she has not found a
man in her life that is worth fighting over. That is, until
she meets Cam McClendon, her possible soulmate. After finding
out about the relationship, Sam looks to confront Cameron
and warn him off from his daughter. Instead, he meets Maddie,
Cam’s mother, who becomes a pit bull, and shows him
he has met his match. They totally get off on the wrong foot
and become adversaries.
Until a horrible accident occurs, where Cam is badly injured
saving Kirstin’s life. Sam realizes how wrong he has
been and while Cam recuperates, he insists the McClendon’s
move into his large ranch house. Maddie and Sam begin to rely
on each other and enjoy their talks, realizing they can relate
to each other about losing their spouses. A friendship is
born as Maddie allows him to see the error of his ways. Very
slowly, a sweet heartfelt romance also begins between Maddie
and Sam, who have come to rely on each other.
A powerful quote is very relatable, “You don’t
think of the person for a few hours. Then, bang, it blindsides
you. She was my other half in every sense of the word, my
guiding light, my advisor, and my comfort during the storms.”
Because everything is not always joyful, there were heart-breaking
scenes where both families share the devastating loss of a
loved one from cancer, but readers also see the healing process
and resilience of the human spirit. As the Christmas holiday
approaches the story becomes uplifting showing how Maddie’s
grandson, Caleb, is caring and considerate, giving his grandmother
a gift that is overwhelming.
Anderson wants to bring realism to “the story. We should
not forget about those people who came to the holidays with
strife, stress, or financial troubles. Many people have lost
loved ones and on Christmas there are empty places. They do
feel sad. Because I did experience grief firsthand I wanted
to write about it. I wanted to show how the death of Maddie’s
husband impacted not only her but also her son and grandson.”
Anderson has done a wonderful job of creating well-developed
characters. Her description of Sam might remind people of
the actor Sam Elliott with his deep western slang voice. The
book’s description, “He emanated strength, superiority,
and arrogance… His weathered features looked as if they’d
been carved from granite.” It went on to say he wore
a tan Stetson, had white sideburns, sooty eyebrows and a mustache
peppered with gray, with his hair color also white. In personality
he appears to be overbearing, rude, angry, and lonely. But
as the story progresses he is also seen as dependable, caring,
and someone the families can lean on.
Seeing Sam with many emotional layers the author describes
him as “very protective, ornery, overbearing; yet, regretful
and sorry for these emotions. In the end he became caring
and thoughtful. In looking back on how I describe Sam’s
features, with the white hair, long mustache and sideburns,
and granite face, I do think it resembles Elliott.”
These two holiday generational romances touch on grief, healing
and redemption. Readers will go through a range of emotions
with the characters from joy, to laughter, and sadness. Anderson
leaves the reader wishing the story would never end, hoping
she will consider making a series involving these great characters.
Reviews
of other titles by this author
Summer
Breeze
SunKissed
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