Toll Gate Christmas — Marsha Boulton

Nobody knows what goes on inside the stout walls of the Toll Gate House in Northcote Village. Old Jim, the cantankerous recluse who has lived there all his life is infamous among the villagers for maintaining his privacy - with a musket and a mean word when called for. So when Jim suddenly begins issuing Christmas dinner invitations to Northcote's upstanding citizens there is an outbreak of confusion that challenges manners and traditions. In this tale of havoc over a turkey supper, a gingerbread-trimmed community turns itself inside out to avoid unwanted surprises, only to discover that the tithe of attending Christmas at the Toll Gate House is a special kind of self-sustaining joy. Author Marsha Boulton brings characters and community alive in the tradition of Garrison Keillor with a classic O.Henry twist.

Added free bonus story - “Christmas Angels” - An enchanting short memoir that takes the reader into the Peaceable Kingdom of the author's barn on Christmas eve with the horses, sheep and a goose wearing a red bow. Perfect. Somewhat sentimental. Happy Holidays. You may want to make it and the accompanying image a Christmas card.