Logistics: A Christmas Story
by Chris Coppel
After being abandoned at the age of two and a half, Holly Hillman was raised without whimsy or fantasy. She was taught that there were no such things as Santa Claus, fairies, elves or any other accepted fantasies that help a child deal with the harder realities of life. Now in her forties, she is the CEO of a Fortune 400 company. She rose to the top through hard work, but also by living without distractions or social attachments. Despite her rigidly ingrained dedication, Holly was content with her life, having never lived by any other tenet. Everything was perfect until she was required to give her DNA as part of a health check leading up her company’s merger with an Asian conglomerate.
The results of her test unlocked the secret of her unique ancestry, leading to her having to confront a fantastical truth that would forever change her views on life and reality itself.
A must read for all Christmas and fantasy lovers. Logistics: A Christmas Story by Chris Coppel is the epitome of what the spirit of Christmas truly is. A classic fantasy story coupled with a twist of modern-day science-fiction, set in the 21st century following a tradition as old as time. Coppel, pairs a romantic backdrop with a fantasy, feel-good story about discovering your true self. The writing is beautiful and is in fact, one of my most liked things about this book. The other is Holly's character development from a stoic, cold woman to one brimming with love and joy and a newfound sense of belonging. The joyful North pole, the interweaving of astrophysics into an age-old story coupled with a reality-bending theme is brilliant. Though the plot was a bit obvious from the get-go, Coppel managed to throw in enough curveballs and plot twists to keep the reader constantly wondering. The plot of Santa Claus having a wife, made him seem like a warm, real-life person who has gone through grief and love and creates a means through which the reader can relate to him. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. The writing, the world-building, the characters are all so perfect.
I recommend this book to any fantasy, dystopian, or sci-fi lover out there as well as those in the mood for some holiday cheer coupled with a bit of romance. Logistics: A Christmas Story by Chris Coppel is a must-read for all Christmas and fantasy lovers. Click here for full review
-Onlinebookclub.com Review
I loved the whole plot of the book and the Christmas concept What would you do if you found out that your DNA has no familiar marker for 99.999% of all known global familial traits?….. The book starts on a high note. It immediately captivates one's attention from the start…. The characters are described so well….I love that the author infused humor into the book. This made reading the book more interesting…. There was nothing I disliked about the book. The book is also exceptionally well-edited improving the book's flow. I loved the whole plot of the book and the Christmas concept hence giving the book a 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who loves fantasies and adventures. Click here for full review
-Onlinebookclub.com Review
A fun read! When I think of Christmas stories I think most of them fall into one of a few of well worn categories.
First are the modern Christmas stories that are meant primarily for kids - they give simplistic backgrounds to our customary holiday traditions and end with happy smiling faces under the Christmas tree. These stories typically involve some magical elements (think The Polar Express).
Then there are the tales meant primarily for adults. Many of these are thinly veiled romances, usually with the hero, caught up in the demands of big city life, returning to the place they came from only to discover their true love - right back where they left them - as they reconnect with their small town roots and discard their big city cynicism.
Of course, you also have the moralistic tales, which may be aimed at adults or kids - from Dicken's A Christmas Carol right up through Seuss's The Grinch.
If I had to pick one of the above categories, I would say that Chris Coppel's Logistics: A Christmas Story fits right into the adult romance Christmas story tradition, but with its own unique twist. I can't think of another Christmas story that throws in science fiction elements to explain Santa, his elves, and their ability to deliver all those presents on just one night.
This is the story of the emotionally walled off logistics company CEO Holly Hillman. Raised by two different sets of adoptive parents, she has no connection with, or remembrance of, her biological family - having been discovered as a baby in mysterious circumstances on Christmas morning in 1981, underneath an unsuspecting young family's Christmas tree.
Now in charge of one of the largest logistics companies in the world, Holly is in the midst of finalizing negotiations to take over a Chinese company in a bid to leap to the front of her industry. But the contract requires all of the top executives, including Holly, to undergo DNA tests, purportedly to ensure their good health and ability to continue to lead the firm in the five years after the merger.
Holly's desire to safeguard the privacy of all of the executives leads them to engage a small privately run DNA lab in Greenland. To ensure complete privacy, Holly and her team fly to the lab for testing. And here begins the real adventure of Logistics.
Logistics is simultaneously full of modern anxieties (with even a mention, though in passing, of the pandemic), and light-hearted whimsy. It's the perfect 2021 holiday fable, and one that's sure to put a smile on your face.
FIVE STARS: ‘Holly loved the power’ – A new and powerful novel for Christmas! California author Chris Coppel is the author of many screenplays and has taught advanced screenwriting at UCLA. He is also an accomplished drummer and guitarist. His chosen genre for this novels is horror stories and to date he has published FAR FROM BURDEN DELL, LEGACY, THE LODGE, LAKEBED, LUCY, LINER, LUCK and now LOGISTICS: A CHRISTMAS STORY.
It is refreshing to encounter an author who is able to transport the reader into the realm of terror with the facility that Chris Coppel has achieved. Having read four of his novels, this reader has developed great respect for Chris’ talent. The story he weaves in LOGISTICS is as visual and compelling as the experience of sitting in a movie theater during a scary film. The mystery and momentum of the story is suggested in the opening chapter, set in 1981: ‘Tony Brusco was desperately trying to get a few more minutes of sleep before pandemonium broke out in their tiny Newark apartment. It was Christmas morning and so far the kids were still sleeping. He knew it was only a matter of time before one of them woke, remembered what day it was, then charged into the living room to see what Santa had brought them….Life hadn’t been fair to Tony. He’d studied hard and always planned to go to college and hopefully become a doctor. He felt he had things pretty much under control until his girlfriend, Sofia, took him aside one day in the school hallway and told him that she was pregnant with what turned out to be their son, Joey…’ And amidst the Christmas celebration and a significant surprise of an infant neath the Christmas tree provides the historical setting – and the nidus for this terrific story is launched.
The provided synopsis indicates where the adventure is headed – ‘After being abandoned at the age of two and a half, Holly Hillman was raised without whimsy or fantasy. She was taught that there were no such things as Santa Claus, fairies, elves or any other accepted fantasies that help a child deal with the harder realities of life. Now in her forties, she is the CEO of a Fortune 400 company. She rose to the top through hard work, but also by living without distractions or social attachments. Despite her rigidly ingrained dedication, Holly was content with her life, having never lived by any other tenet. Everything was perfect until she was required to give her DNA as part of a health check leading up her company’s merger with an Asian conglomerate. The results of her test unlocked the secret of her unique ancestry, leading to her having to confront a fantastical truth that would forever change her views on life and reality itself.’
Fast paced and well sculpted, this is a sci-fi story that rises to the top of the genre. Chris Coppel is an author with the gift! Recommended.
Do you believe in the Christmas miracle? Tony and Sofia wake up on Christmas morning to discover a young girl in their house after unwrapping their cheap Christmas presents with their children. The discovery of the child brings terrible luck, as Tony is charged with kidnapping. The story moves on to a different setting where we meet Holly, a driven and successful lady who lives by specific standards set for herself and has shattered any form of relationship to avoid distractions. Holly rarely has time for anything other than work and does not have a relationship with her workers.
Holly’s life takes a drastic turn when she gets news concerning her DNA being a requirement for an impending deal with Ling Chow, a logistics company which her company intends to buy. After Holly receives word that her DNA match could not be found in the world, she discovers a truth that could change her life forever. What does Holly learn about herself? How does the discovery affect her life and her standards? Logistics: A Christmas Story by Chris Coppel unveils the answers to these questions.
While reading this book, I was genuinely intrigued by the plot. I wanted to untangle the mystery which the author sought to hide. The book's title would suggest a different plot, and I was surprised by the qualities the book held. The book was professionally edited, as I did not find a lot of errors while reading. It was written in a detailed and straightforward manner that would keep a reader engaged.
The use of imagery in the book is superb, as I could picture almost every scene. The author’s use of flashbacks was also commendable as he slowly unveiled the answers to the numerous questions posed in the book. The author’s writing style and his employment of sarcasm would leave a reader yearning to uncover a lot, thereby keeping the reader glued to the book. It took a while before I could understand the connection between Tony, Sofia, and Holly.
The characters employed in the book were relatable, and I could not have imagined a better-suited end for the book. It was a fantasy book that had a mixture of everything. The book encompasses themes such as faith, goodwill and most importantly, love. By reading this book, we also understand the influence of peer groups on children and people at large and how childhood experiences can affect our future.
The book was superb, and despite the book's length, I was not bored at any point. The characters in the book would take you into a world of fantasy and surprise. I could not find any negative aspects in the book because it was well written. I rate the book four out of four stars. I did not rate it lower because it was a fascinating read, and I could not find anything to dislike about this book. I recommend this book to all lovers of fantasy and Christmas stories.
-Onlinebookclub.com Review
4.5 out of 5 Stars "Logistics: A Christmas Story" - The Christmas Origin Story You Never Knew You Wanted!. The Christmas Origin Story You Never Knew You Wanted! ...And it delivers! To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I picked up this book. Let's just say, I'm glad I did! Logistics: A Christmas Story is a creative, new-age take on a classic holiday story you thought you knew. Following the main character, Holly, on her journey of self discovery was a joy to partake in! And just when you think you know what will happen next, it turns out you have no idea. This uplifting story has something for everyone. You will laugh and you may cry as the story tugs at some nostalgic heartstrings. Chris Coppel has found a way to tap into the wonder you felt as a kid growing up at Christmas time. He has masterfully blended some sci-fi elements into the mysteries of believing in Santa and Christmas magic. While reading the story, I visualized the events taking place like a movie and I think one day it will be. It may even become a staple, yearly watch like, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and Scrooge. I certainly look forward to that happening someday but for now, I highly recommend this book! It is a great read during the holidays and will help get you into the Christmas spirit at anytime during the year!
FIVE STARS: A fun read Logistics: A Christmas Story by Chris Coppel begins by telling the life story of a trying family. Tony Brusco, his wife and their two children found a baby girl while opening the gifts under their Christmas tree.
The main character Holly Hillman was abandoned at the age of two and a half. She thought that there was no Santa Claus or any other children’s fantasies were real. Now in her forties and the CEO of a Fortune 400 company, life was about to change when she was required to get her DNA done as a health check.
The result of the test revealed her identity and changed her previous belief about love and fantasy.
This is now my favorite book that I reviewed so far.
FIVE STARS: A Child Growth Story Holly Hillman was reared lacking playfulness or illusion since being dumped just at age two and a half. She was trained to believe Father Christmas, elves, gnomes, and other universally understood myths that help kids cope with the harsh realities of life did not exist.
Holly went on to become the CEO of a Fortune 400 company in her forties. She ascended to the top via personal effort, as well as by avoiding detours and social lives. Holly was satisfied with her lifestyle, notwithstanding her strongly entrenched commitment, having rarely existed by any other precept. All was going swimmingly until she was asked to provide her DNA as a condition of a medical check before her firm's amalgamation with an Asian giant. The test results revealed the mystery of her unusual genealogy, forcing her to face a fanciful reality that would permanently alter her perspective on life and existence herself.
FIVE STARS: Good Christmas story. In this book, a woman who grew up an orphan who never even believed in Santa Claus and is 100% a professional woman gets the surprise of her life when her company requires a DNA test. And she has to rediscover magic and true love. But it's a good Christmas story that I could see becoming a Hallmark movie at some point
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