Rating: 5✨

This remarkable emotional short story has the power to absolutely break your heart and then knit it back together again.  Lost: a Christmas novella is a science fiction tale of a retiring space soldier rejected by his earth based family because of the wars damage turned him cyborg. And the diverse found family that gave him and them a potential future. 

It’s sheer serendipity that I found this story shortly after finishing this author, Jenny Schwartz ‘s fantastic book, Stars Die, the first in her new Caldryn Parliament science fiction series. 

A short poignant holiday read, its emotional context is rooted in past events and even more importantly, in our own connections with people, veterans within our communities and families.  It’s real and lastly, gives the characters and readers a sense of hope for a better future. 

I honestly don’t know how I missed this author before but she’s now finally on my list of writers to read. She should be on yours too. 

Just incredible. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comLost: A Christmas Novella eBook – Jenny Schwartz

Blurb 

Merry Christmas, son. Don’t come home.

Stuck on Central Transit Station, Sergeant Ryan Dabrowski receives a Dear John letter from his family. The home he fought to protect doesn’t want him. He’s left too much of his body out among the stars. The aug-doctors patched him up better than new, but cyborg freaks aren’t welcome on Earth.

“Don’t ruin your sister’s life.”

But what about Rye’s life?

***

Lost is a short Christmas novella about found family, new beginnings, and believing that anything is possible. Merry Christmas! Happy Wishing Tree!

• Publication date: November 4, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 44 pages