Great Jones - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$2.99 with 61 percent savings
Print List Price: $7.65

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Jan Ruth
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Away for Christmas Kindle Edition

by Jan Ruth (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 63 ratings
Jonathan Jones has written a novel. Losing his job a few days before Christmas means the pressure is on for his book to become a bestseller, but when his partner drops her own bombshell, the festive holiday looks set to be a disaster. When he’s bequeathed a failing bookshop in their seaside town, it seems that some of his prayers have been answered, but his publishing company turn out to be not what they seem, and when his ex-wife suddenly declares her romantic intent, another Christmas looks set to be complicated. Is everything lost, or can the true meaning of words, a dog called Frodo, and the sheer magic of Christmas be enough to save Jonathan’s book, and his skin?

Bookmuse Magazine: "If you’re a writer you will laugh, despair and sympathise with Jonathan Jones, and the trials and tribulations he faces as he battles to become a published author. And if you’re a reader, you’ll be captivated by the excellent story-telling that weaves Jonathan’s complicated life into a page turning drama. A real feel good novella, perfect to curl up with on a stormy winter’s afternoon..." You’ll enjoy this if you like: Jojo Moyes, Jill Mansell, Erica James. Ideal accompaniments: Hot chocolate with marshmallows and a plate of shortbread.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    166 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    November 13, 2017
  4. File size
    763 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bookmuse Magazine: "If you're a writer you will laugh, despair and sympathise with Jonathan Jones, and the trials and tribulations he faces as he battles to become a published author. And if you're a reader, you'll be captivated by the excellent story-telling that weaves Jonathan's complicated life into a page turning drama. A real feel good novella, perfect to curl up with on a stormy winter's afternoon..."
You'll enjoy this if you like: Jojo Moyes, Jill Mansell, Erica James.
Ideal accompaniments: Hot chocolate with marshmallows and a plate of shortbread.

From the Author

The longer I live and the more places I visit in the world, the more connected I feel to my roots, or more specifically my spiritual home, Snowdonia.   
Some years ago we moved from Cheshire to North Wales. Although Cheshire has its history and pretty rural surroundings aplenty, Wales is far more extreme in both aspects. The castles and the rugged hillsides scattered with stone settlements, Druid's circles and Roman roads bring out the historical muse in me. To think that I am treading the same path as someone who lived in the Iron Age, is both fascinating and humbling. Snowdonia kick-started my stalled obsession with writing in a very positive way.
All this whimsical talk of the past makes me sound as if I write historical based fiction. Far from it. Much as I admire many other genres I tend to be very much rooted in current times and my work reflects a lot of my own life experiences. But this is where I find the two ideas merge a little because I am most certainly inspired by this Ice Age landscape and the idea that what has gone before, shapes what we see today, but does it shape what we feel, too?
I write contemporary fiction set in North Wales. It falls very loosely into the romantic genre but it isn't hearts and flowers fiction. You may find the odd spot of arson, adultery and manslaughter laced with black humour and of course, the big landscapes of Snowdonia. 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B076583YC6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Celtic Connections (November 13, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 13, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 763 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 166 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1729284795
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jan Ruth

Jan Ruth

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Jan Ruth lives a mountainous area of North Wales, UK. Jan writes contemporary fiction about the darker side of the family dynamic, often blending life in rural Wales with a touch of city business. Her style is best described as fast-paced and realistic, with a sprinkling of dry humour.

The real story began at school, with prizes for short stories and poetry. She failed all things mathematical and scientific, and to this day struggles to make sense of anything numerical.

Her first novel – written in 1986 – attracted the attention of editor Anne Dewe, Andrew Mann Literary Agency, London. Dewe’s own company, Love Stories Ltd, was a project aiming to champion those books of substance which contained a romantic element but were perhaps directed towards the more mature reader and consistently fell through the net in traditional publishing. Summer in October was contracted immediately but sadly, the project failed to get the right financial backing and the company dissolved.

Many years later Jan’s second novel, Wild Water, was taken on by Jane C Judd Literary Agency, London. Despite Judd’s enthusiasm, the book failed to find the right niche with a publisher – one brave enough to expand on those established, traditional genre stereotypes. And then Amazon changed the face of the industry with the advent of self-publishing and Jan went on to successfully publish several works of fiction under her own imprint, Celtic Connections. After a brief partnership with Accent Press in 2015, Jan chose to return to the freedom of independent publishing.

Wild Water won the Cornerstones competition for the most popular self-published book in 2011, and Midnight Sky won the Romantic Review Magazine Award (2013). Silver Rain (2015) and Wild Water (2016) were both finalists in the Wishing Shelf Awards. Jan’s books are available globally via Amazon as ebooks or paperbacks and locally, you’ll find them in North Wales libraries.

When she’s not reading or writing – Jan loves walk or ride the Welsh hills; a constant source of inspiration.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
63 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

  • A Critical Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars You can’t go wrong with this author.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Jan Ruth has a style all her own. Like some of her other work, this Christmas novella has a male protagonist whose life both professionally and personally is quite a mess. Jonathan has an ex-wife, a daughter and a long-term girlfriend, and he has big decisions to make regarding all three. His career is not where he wants it to be, having taken the safe route in accounting when all he really wants to do is write. And that’s one of the themes of the book that is perfect for any author reading, as Ruth goes through the frustrations and heartbreaks along with the learning curve associated with the publishing world, all through the eyes of Jonathan.

    What makes this a Christmas book? Well, major events seem to happen each Christmas over the span of three years. The setting is a dreamy seaside Welsh town, and there are both annoying and loving family and friends, an old romantic bookstore and a dog. They come together beautifully for a realistic and unforgettable Christmas story.

    You can’t go wrong with this author.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Christine Terrell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely well-written Christmas novella
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this holiday novella that had been languishing on my TBR, begging to catch my attention. I mean, look at that lovely cover! There are many things that I liked about this one:

    1) It features a bookstore! Now who could not like that?
    2) There’s a cute dog named Frodo who anyone would love
    3) I think the writing is very good and the story kept me guessing
    4) The protagonist, Jonathan, is a struggling author attempting to get his mystery thriller published. It’s not that I enjoyed seeing him struggle, but the workings of his publisher, The Tangerine Press, are an eye-opener, and Jonathan’s journey in trying to get his book out into the world really held my interest
    5) Jonathan has values that I liked
    6) The characters are nicely developed, and there are a lot of personal relationship threads that I enjoyed

    What didn’t I like:

    1) Other than Jonathan and a young woman named Lizzie, I wasn’t terribly invested in the characters. But again, the plot was good.
    2) Towards the very end, there was a major reveal that occurred in just a few sentences. What? I was anxious to see how that thread was going to play out, and it didn’t. It was just “told to us” in a very off-the-cuff, somewhat ambiguous, and cursory manner. That disappointed me. I think the author could have added a few pages to “show us” exactly how this issue played out.

    Overall, “Away for Christmas” entertained me, and I’m happy I finally picked it up off my Christmas pile. The things I liked clearly outweighed the few things I didn’t, and I definitely recommend this little story for a cozy afternoon of diversion. I just bought her second Christmas book, Home for Christmas, which is a volume of three short stories that I look forward to reading this time next year.
    Helpful
     Report
  • JanLPN
    5.0 out of 5 stars From cover to cover
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2023
    An absolutely enchanting story of an accountant/writer being given the gift of following his dream, the new relationships he builds, the ones which stop & stutter-ending as they grow apart, learning their paths have diverged. The bookshop owner-writer finds his feet, slowly growing more confident in his dream as true friends support him in his efforts. He’s also able to finally forge a bond with his teenage daughter, whom he learns has more in common with him, than with his ex-wife. A gem of a story, with a happy ending, just not what may be expected.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Cathy
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very satisfying read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2017
    4.5*
    Set mostly in Rhos-on-Sea, Away For Christmas focuses on three successive Christmases in the life of Jonathan Jones. Jonathan is an accountant, a career he’s not particularly fond of, his aspirations lie firmly with writing and his driving ambition is to get his books published, to be able to hold a copy in his hand. Impulsively and without considering the consequences, Jonathan resigns from his job just days before Christmas. He hopes to be able to give all his attention to the second book he’s writing for the publishing house, Tangerine Press, with whom he has signed a contract. But he’s not the only one behaving rashly.

    Initially Jonathan isn’t a very sympathetic character, he’s preoccupied, thinking only of his own interests and needs. After a disastrous Christmas, things don’t get any better for Jonathan, with a personal crisis and the realisation that Tangerine Press are not promoting his novel and are much less than the thriving publishing company they profess to be. Jonathan has given friends and family a publishing date, which seems less likely to materialise as time goes on. His patience and endurance are tested to the limit during his many unsuccessful attempts to contact his publisher and find out what’s going on and I could understand his frustration with the unpredictability of it all.

    Jonathan began to redeem himself when he became the new owner of Beachside Books, and acquired a little companion. I couldn’t guess how things were going to turn out for him. The book store was in a pretty bad state, it had been neglected for a long time. His personal life wasn’t faring much better. Following Jonathan’s journey of self discovery was anything but boring though. I loved everything about Beachside Books and how the store was brought back to life. So with three of my favourite things – books, bookshops and dogs – included in the story it’s definitely a winner. It was interesting too, to get a glimpse inside the world of publishing which I’m sure Jan Ruth knows quite well. The well developed story moves at a fast pace, packing a lot in for a novella while still flowing well and fully exploring the story line. Don’t be put off if Christmas books aren’t your thing, there’s no seasonal overload here at all.

    Jan Ruth’s characters are always well-rounded and real, and this is no exception. The setting is one I can picture very clearly, the combination of that, along with the plot, complex and varied relationships and character dynamics all serve to deliver a very satisfying read.

    I chose to read and review Away For Christmas based on an advance reader copy supplied by the author.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Edyth Harrison
    5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely Christmas story set in stunning North Wales.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed Away for Christmas by Jan Ruth. The action takes place over a 2 years period in the life of Jonathan Jones - an out of work disenchanted accountant and a wishful 'best selling author'. He has an ex-partner Catherine, an ex-wife Denise and a teenage daughter Lizzie, who does not appear to have been very high on his list of priorities since the break up of his marriage but he does want to remedy that. When Gwilym, his ex-partner's father gives him his bookshop because of health problems, albeit a failing bookshop, one would hope that his luck would begin to change but no, he seems to stumble from one drama to another - the contract with the Publishing House turns out to be a disaster and then his ex-wife makes an unexpected appearance in his life just as he is trying to repair his love-life with Catherine.
    Does his dream of a successful bookshop and seeing his books in print come true; does he manage to repair his relationship with his daughter and does he have a 'happy ever after' ending with the love of his life - either Catherine or his ex-wife?? You'll have to read this lovely novella to find out - quite an unexpected but satisfactory ending I must say. A snowy North Wales coast is the perfect location for this Christmassy book. Enjoy.
    Report
  • Maggie Peplow
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Christmas read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    No-one does adult romance like Jan Ruth and this Christmas novella is certainly up to the standard of her full length novels. We first meet Jonathan as he is about to lose his accountancy job. Jonathan's heart is not in accountancy, its in the novel he is writing, the one that has just found a publisher. His only worry is that he needs to get the novel finished quickly now he has no job, but first he is off on a Christmas break with his partner and their friends. Jonathan, scared to tell his partner he has no job, is hardly the life and soul of the party and then his partner deals a body blow and the break is cut short. We follow Jonathan through the next three years during which time he is given an ailing bookshop and needs to find the money to do it up whilst dithering between his partner and his ex-wife and problems piled on from his publisher. You will have to read this novel to find out more. Like all Jan Ruth's books it is filled with great characters, a cute dog and, of course, a horse. This is an excellent Christmas read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
    Report
  • India
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant and Unique Christmas Novella
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I always enjoy Jan Ruth's books, and this is no exception. A lovely Christmas novella, without the usual fluff these books tend to contain, it focusses on Jonathan and his dream come true when he lands a publishing deal with Tangerine Press - a dream that soon turns into a nightmare. In this book Jan explodes the 'dream' perfectly, giving a huge insight into what a publishing deal actually means and how woefully short they can fall, with error after error being made. There's a love story too, but a refreshingly unconventional one and in the end, it's all about getting priorities right and managing expectations. There's even a dog involved - perfect. The moral of the Christmas tale: be careful in whose hands you place your dreams.
    Report
  • Michele
    5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and Delightful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely adored this book, by Jan Ruth. The cover definately draws you in and makes you feel warm and not wanting to wait a second longer to read. It's a brilliant and wonderful Christmas read cosy and soft. I don't like to give spoilers away, but what I can say is, it's a must have book. Well done Jan Ruth and thank you for writing it. Look forward to more of your books.
    Report
  • HelenC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A really enjoyable read - believable characters and situations, and plenty of advice for budding authors about self-publishing and promotion.
    I also love that the story is set in locations I am more than familiar with, and the author describes them so well, adding to the feeling that the characters are real people, living real lives.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report