A heartwarming Christmas story about finding what really matters in life.
As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.
The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a … wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is paying his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild-goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.
When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.
Praise for Catching Christmas
“The feel-good Christmas book of the year. Blackstock’s tale of love and redemption wrapped in a holiday bow will leave you smiling. Don’t miss Catching Christmas.” —New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hauck
“Blackstock’s Catching Christmas is not your average romance. Darling and laugh-out-loud cute, it makes the reader think about the important things in life. I read it in one gulp and wished there was more. Highly recommended!” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author
“Terri Blackstock’s latest offering touches tender places with its quirky characters and stirring plot. Catching Christmas explores what happens when the paths of a disenchanted taxi driver collide with that of an overworked attorney. Blackstock weaves a compelling, romantic tale that is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit!” —Denise Hunter, bestselling author
- Standalone novel
- Perfect for gift giving or as a stocking stuffer
- Hopeful and encouraging Christmas story that will appeal to fans of Hallmark movies
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
more
Love books by Terry Blackstock – This one was a bit different than others she’s written – very well written – I can’t imagine anyone sending a loved one to a doctors appointment in a cab, but then we can’t judge. Definitely will recommend to my friends to read.
So different than her usual work this book had me laughing and crying
A fast, easy to read and very enjoyable book. Finn, a cab driver, is called to pick up a fare, Miss Callie, an elderly woman on her way to a doctor’s appointment by herself. She is quite ill and disoriented. Finn is a gentleman at heart and helps her in multiple ways over the course of several days. Miss Callie’s granddaughter Sydney is hanging on to her job as a defense attorney by her fingernails but does her best for her grandmother. Unfortunately Sydney’s employer isn’t concerned about Sydney’s personal obligations unless they interfere with her work and when they do, she loses her job. Finn does his best to support Sydney several times when Miss Callie’s health takes a turn for the worse. The three of them have found each other just when they needed it most. Strongly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a review copy. This is my honest opinion.
Get in the Christmas spirit with Terri Blackstock’s latest book, a sweet but humorous story, Catching Christmas! Finn is a cab driver and a former French chef who finds himself doing all kinds of tasks for the ancient Miss Callie since she appears to have no family! Callie’s granddaughter, Sydney, is actually a busy young attorney working hard to keep her job and care for her grandmother at the same time. Finn ends up escorting Miss Callie around town while she attempts to find a husband for Sydney. You will enjoy the antics of Miss Callie and the tender ending to this story. Catching Christmas is different from Terri Blackstock’s usual suspense stories. I received a complimentary e-book from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
When cab driver, former Chef, Finn gets a call to pick up a lady, he arrives and when she doesn’t come out he goes to the house and after knocking and still no one shows he checks and finds an elderly lady asleep in a wheel chair. She is not able to tell him where she wants to go and he finally finds out that she has a Doctor appointment. Thus begins an encounter with a lady that, at first, irritates him and later teaches him many wonderful things including his introduction to her granddaughter and Jesus! Wonderful book, it will help prepare you for Christmas.
In this sweet, heart-tugging story, readers will examine what truly matters at Christmas. Woven with humor and told in the first person narrative, Catching Christmas follows the exploits of an elderly lady named Callie and her “driver”, Finn.
There is a light thread of romance in this story, yet it appears fairly late to the novel, so the focus of this book is really on the relationship that develops between Finn, who is the cab driver, and Callie, the elderly lady who is definitely experiencing memory problems. Throw in Sydney, a harried and overworked granddaughter, and it is a recipe for an emotional and memorable Christmas season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
How happy can one Christmas Day become when an ill grandmother, an over-worked granddaughter, and a used-to-be chef-now cabbie unite, long enough to catch the true spirit of Christmas? And perhaps beyond.
Quite a curious blend of happy, sad, subtle, serious .. . . but it works.
Ms. Blackstock’s suspense stories are my favorite and I was curious about this book. This book has such a heartfelt, touching Christmas story. This story focuses on Sydney who is fresh out of law school and works for a law firm (and has to work all of the time), Finn, a cab driver, and Callie, Sydney’s grandmother. Finn has had a disappointing few years and appears to be cynical and just trying to make money to live on each day. However, his life is changed when he gets the call to take Callie to the doctor one day. Throughout the story, the reader sees how Callie’s influence on Finn and Sydney changes their perspectives. This Christian story set during Christmas is a delightful story to read to remember the real reason for the season. I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed! This book will remind us all the true meaning of the spirit of Christmas.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.
This is the best feel-good about Christmas book that I have ever read. The story of Callie, the octogenarian who is determined to create a happy holiday for her overworked granddaughter Sydney, is both heart-warming and realistic. The unexpected character in the story is Finn, the cab driver who is tasked with driving Callie around town so that she can “catch Christmas.” Callie is well aware that she is old and not able to take care of holiday errands, so she is delighted to find a helper in Finn. He’s like a reluctant Christmas elf, driving Callie all around town and seldom getting paid for his troubles because the elderly lady keeps forgetting to pay him. The humor in the book was light but was always present, as was the feeling that time was short for Callie. The theme of valuing time with those you love was well expressed, as I was quickly drawn into the story of Sydney rushing from work to caring for her grandmother, back to work, etc. Finn was my favorite character because he gave his time reluctantly at first, blaming Sydney for her lack of care for her ailing grandmother. When Finn and Sydney finally get together, Callie finds her happy Christmas. It’s their getting together that is the heart of the story and Callie’s ability to see the good and love in both young people is touching and realistic. I loved this timely Christmas story from one of my favorite Christian authors!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I enjoyed this fast read, and you can feel what Christmas is really about, what a great book the author has shared with us.
There are some chuckles and tears here, and you feel compassion for all of those involved, and I felt like I was watching as I read!
You will find yourself thinking of your own mother or grandmother, and putting a face to Miss Callie, and yes, you can actually see that all that happens here could be true.
We really answer the question here of who is really family, and when you think about it the answers come, those who care and love you, and “the cab driver”.
A don’t miss read that will keep your attention!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
Prepare yourself with a box of Kleenex because you’ll need it and you’ll do some laughing also because Callie at the age of 80 who has no filter when she talks. I haven’t read any of Ms. Blackstock’s other books and was very surprised by how much this story caught my heart and fell in love with Callie, Sydney and Finn.
It’s Christmas and Finn Parrish needs to a lot of fares with his cab to pay his rent. When his dispatcher, Lu Ann, calls with a fare and he meets Miss Callie Beecher a frail 80 year old who has no filter on her mouth and says what she thinks. But she will soon have him driving all over the city with her trying to find a single man for her granddaughter by Christmas. Finn will be very reluctant to take Miss Callie on her various errands because he knows that the airport has higher fares but he’ll soon be helping her out even on his days off. But when he meets Sydney he soon realizes that she’ll become a huge part of his life.
Sydney Baston is a first year associate with a prestigious law firm and has been given a case that she knows is wrong to prosecute but his father is a huge client and she’ll be the first to go after the firm loses some clients. Miss Callie is her grandma and arranges for the cab company to take her to appointments and errands because she can’t. Little does she know that her Grammy is very ill and making plans for her granddaughter whether she wants them or not.
Even though the book deals with the loss of a parent (Finn’s), Sydney’s father not allowing her to be with her grandmother after her mother dies, and of course Miss Callie’s gentle soul who teach them both the spirit of Christmas and it’s true meaning never goes away it just needs a bit of prodding to help those who forgot to believe that it’s truly a gift of the soul.
Catching Christmas is a sentimental holiday story by author Terri Blackstock. Finn Parrish, once a Cordon Bleu trained chef and restaurant owner, is now a taxi driver. He gets an unusual fare at the home of a senior lady who needs transport to a doctor appointment. Little did he know the effects this call would have on his emotions and his life.
Miss Callie Beecher is 80. She is confined to a wheelchair and is showing signs of dementia. Her one wish for Christmas is to give her granddaughter Sydney a wonderful Christmas and a connection that will last well beyond Miss Callie’s lifetime.
Sydney Batson is a first year lawyer with a large firm who has been given an impossible case. The minor son of their largest client provided alcohol to his college dorm, then drove inebriated and ran into a Burger King. As an entitled son of an arrogant father, Sydney is being asked to do highly unethical things, the one hurting her heart the most being the demands on her time when she feels she should be spending the time with her grandmother.
A lovely holiday story of loss and love and forgiveness. I did enjoy this story and do recommend it!
As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.
The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.
When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure that she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.
What a good “feel good” book. Finn and Sydney are both in a struggle about finding themselves. Finn has a failed restaurant and Sydney is trying to win an unwinnable case in court. Her bosses don’t see the need for her to take time off the take care of her ailing grandmother. Finn keeps telling everyone he’s just the cab driver. As the story unfolds, they both find what’s the most important.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a feel good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a must read for this Christmas or anytime. This story includes a granddaughter trying to spread her legal wings, a grandmother who knows her days are numbered but her tasks are not, and a reluctant cab driver who really doesn’t want the fare that will ultimately change his life. The characters are well developed and the story will keep you turning the pages. The ending is sure to put a smile on your face. The lesson learned is that even if you don’t like what’s going on in your life, God is in charge and He knows the end of the story.
Terri Blackstock’s first Christmas book is one for the keeper shelf! Seriously warm and we’ll written with a good dose of dry humor, this is one holiday read you don’t want to miss.
Can driver Finn Parrish beeps his horn at the house of his next fare. No one comes out, so he grudgingly stomps to the door. Inside, in her wheelchair, sets 80 year old Callie Beecher. Sound asleep. Finn does not need this! He doesn’t want to tire around this old lady. But he has good manners, so he drops her off at the doctor’s office. So begins the journey with this dear lady who is making the rounds of what just might be her last Christmas. Add in her just found again granddaughter, Sydney, who is a young associate at a law firm who is trying to please a demanding boss, and you have the best Christmas story yet! I read this in one day. So hard to put down. Heartwarming, funny, heartbreaking, too, this one will cause more than one year to fall and also joy to pour out of your heart.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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