Fiction, Fiction Subjects

On Strike for Christmas

Name: On Strike for Christmas
Author: Sheila Roberts
ISBN: 9781250039651

by Sheila Roberts

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Overview

At Christmastime, it seems as though a woman’s work is never done. Trimming the tree, mailing the cards, schlepping to the mall, the endless wrapping—bah humbug! So this year, Joy and Laura and the rest of their knitting group decide to go on strike. If their husbands and families want a nice holiday—filled with parties, decorations, and presents—well, they’ll just have to do it themselves. The boycott soon takes on a life of its own when a reporter picks up the story and more women join in. But as Christmas Day approaches, Joy, Laura, and their husbands confront larger issues in their marriages and discover that a little holiday magic is exactly what they need to come together.

Sheila Roberts gives the best gift of all in this funny, heartwarming novel that touches the very core of Christmas spirit.

About the Author, Sheila Roberts

Sheila Roberts is the author of Small Change, The Snow Globe, Bikini Season, and other bestselling books. Before settling into her writing life, Roberts did lots of other things, including owning a singing telegram company and playing in a band. Now, when she’s not speaking to women’s groups or at conferences, she can be found writing about the things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate. She lives on a lake in Washington.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Roberts's sweetly vengeful dig at do-nothing husbands follows a smalltown knitting club of wives who are sick and tired of toiling over elaborate Christmas preparations that their husbands don't appreciate. As they go on strike, the women try to stay in solidarity, while the husbands plan retaliation at the hardware store. Roberts revels in detailing the husbands' awkward, often disastrous handling of tasks their wives habitually do for Christmas (taking the kids to see Santa, planning the party, doing up the house). By the end of this gently feminist sendup, each side learns to be grateful for the other's efforts. (Nov.)

Library Journal

Laura is tired of doing everything around the house while her husband watches TV. Joy is sick of giving in to her grumpy husband but never getting to do what she wants. When they decide to go on strike at Christmastime to teach their spouses a lesson, members of their knitting club are eager to join in. Soon enough, the newspaper picks up the story, and women all over town are giving up on going overboard at Christmas. The harried husbands are in charge of everything, from the school pageant to parties to presents, with hilarious results. Holiday recipes are included. A fun and festive debut; for all women's fiction collections.

—Rebecca Vnuk

From the Publisher

"Sheila Roberts makes me laugh. I came away inspired, hopeful and happy." —Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author of A Good Yarn and Christmas Letters "At last! An author who writes her way straight to the heart of every woman. This is the book to give your best friend, your mom, your sister, even your grandmother. Sheila Roberts gives us one of the most frank, funny and unforgettable books of the year. She writes with all the sweetness of Debbie Macomber, the uproarious humor of Jennifer Crusie and a touching honesty all her own. Prepare to spend the day in your bathrobe, with your fuzzy slippers on and a nice cup of tea, enjoying an irresistible read." —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of The Winter Lodge "Hilarious...a fun and festive debut." —Library Journal "Roberts' witty and effervescently funny holiday novel will warm hearts. Realistic characters populate the pages of this captivating story, which is a great escape from the holiday hustle and bustle." —Romantic Times