Reviewer: Pandora Jazz (Signed) · Date: 07/04/09 01:14 AM · On: Chapter 1

I finally had time to start reading your stories.  Thanks for letting me know you had some posted here.

 Not sure why I started reading the Christmas one first, but figured it would make me smile and it did.

I like how you wrote it from John's POV and showed us how much he loves his sons.  It was nice that the brothers could just be boys for a couple of days and enjoy the Christmas season.

The vampire hunt that John went on, nice tie into Gordon and when he killed his sister, also giving us a reason why John would have never told his boys about Gordon, knew he couldn't be trusted.

You did a great job with the description of the different scenes and settings. 

Enjoyed this Winchester Christmas.

Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Author's Response:

Lori,

Thanks so much for another wonderful review and your stars. I’m glad you enjoyed my little Christmas tale and it made you smile. I like John, didn’t always agree with his choices, but never doubted he loved his sons.

Crystal

Reviewer: Cookie6 (Signed) · Date: 02/01/08 05:50 AM · On: Chapter 1

What a peaceful, gentle fic despite the serious hunt. I really enjoyed the way you wrote this from John’s pov in first person. John is so often portrayed as putting his boys second to the hunt, but this fic of yours made it clear that the boys always come first in his thinking even when he can’t get back to them. I loved the way you had John’s thoughts continually going back to the boys throughout your story.

Your detailed description of the cabin in the wilderness caught my breath as well as John’s – it was like standing there beside him in awe, you painted the perfect Christmas location.

Loved your rocky mountain oysters! Too funny! Dean’s reaction was a scream but Sam’s “Colorado doesn‘t have oysters” was priceless!! And I really loved how you had Dean speechless from the scenery –and that John noticed – allowing Dean time to smell the roses, nice touch.

And Dean as a banty rooster, feathers ruffled by the thought of his baby brother taller than him?!? I loved this!!! As a sixteen year old feeling his oats this is a perfect description!!! Too cute! Your snowball fight was beautiful and John play tackling Sam was magic. We know of the troubled relationship these two Winchester’s will share but you showed the strong bond of love that exists first and can later be returned to. John hugging both his boys before he left for the hunt further exemplified this, and I thought your timing was perfect.

Your references to Mary were poignant: ”I prayed to Mary to keep them safe” so original in reflecting that John’s love for Mary is forever. I know this is special as it’s close to your heart. Your words here broke my heart and made it sing at the same time “…this was the closest I had been to heaven since I held Mary... “- John sharing a beautiful environment in harmony with his sons, *applause* And then to polish this off  “Dean knew me better than almost anyone and he was waiting for me to let him in”  *sigh* love it!!!

And I gotta tell you, that line “when jack and jim did most of our talking” had me falling off my chair, and by golly do they talk some crap sometimes, the blabber mouths!!!! Too funny, too true!!!! Your analogy that Dean was at risk at being caught up in the spell was protective!john on guard and I loved it to bits. My fav line coz we know it to be the absolute truth “Dean was our guardian angel” - awesome!

Oh no! Gordon!! And John’s radar pegged him instantly. Great work in validating our matching feelings!

For me these lines were your masterpiece, your style of writing eloquent, but more, you nailed all three boys so well “…my innocent Sammy, and fierce hunter Dean, were caught up in the magic of the season like all children…The sight tugged at my heartstrings…” Yep, tugged at mine too – big time!! *bravo*

John’s fury at being set up leapt out the page, and your fic offered an explanation of why John and Daniel were so estranged, very plausible. “I will kill you to keep them safe” – you’d better believe it!!! Great take on how John found out about the colt, both plotlines a great weave with the Series storyline, well done!

Your finale was both poignant and happy. My heart broke at John’s wish “I hoped I could finish this quest before they had a role to play” – I’m sure this was always John’s intention. Your ghosts of Christmas past and present was very clever, especially as John’s reflections here were triggered by Sammy doing was Sammy does best – drawing the family together with a book. Beautiful imagery Chrystal. Your Christmas future *sob* your words from John – “Somehow I know if I can save them, they can save me” had me reaching for the tissues as we all know how John saved his boy but couldn’t save himself.

This was a beautiful Christmas fic. Thanks so much for sharing your peaceful Winchester Christmas.

Author's Response:

WOW!!! Petra, I’m honored by your review, a Cooky, as I have dubbed them, (Un Gen’s equivalent of a grammy or emmy, etc). Cookie’s stamp of approval. I hope I gave you everything you expected in a Christmas tale. It was a pleasure to write this. I am so glad you enjoyed it, and it was worthy of what you expect from a writer. As a writer I want you to close your eyes and see my story unfold, to be able to imagine it as an episode to watch in your mind. You are a writers dream. Thank you for allowing me to entertain you.

Crystal

Reviewer: Dewyeyed (Signed) · Date: 14/12/07 01:29 PM · On: Chapter 1

What an awesome story, its very different to others stories I've read. This coming from Johns head makes it even more incredible

ROCK ON!!!

Dru

Author's Response:

Dru, thanks for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed my story.  I'm a huge fan of John Winchester.  Welcome aboard, this is a great site.  Cookies for your christmas stocking.

Crystal

Reviewer: bulletbabe (Signed) · Date: 13/12/07 05:55 AM · On: Chapter 1

Once again - awesome Crystal. I love your original take on POV, you got right inside John's head in this one, great work...

...and a great story...good to see Gordon and a few other familliar faces from the series...you did your homework on this one...lol

Author's Response:

Lou, thank you.  John seems to come through 1st person to me.  We know he loved his boys, but I always felt he showed them more than verbalized his feelings.  I'm glad you enjoyed my Christmas gift.  Cookies for your stocking.

Crystal

Reviewer: fantasycatcher (Signed) · Date: 08/12/07 03:09 PM · On: Chapter 1

Ahh, Crys:) This was lovely lovely lovely. I adore your writing style, the diary feel. Loved it!!!!

Merry christmas:)

Schelz

Author's Response:

Schelz, I'm so glad you liked my Christmas gift.  John always seems to come to me first person I don't know why.  Cookies for your stocking dear. ;)

Crystal

Reviewer: Vanessa (Signed) · Date: 08/12/07 08:20 AM · On: Chapter 1

A wonderfully sweet Christmas story.  I liked this peek at the younger Winchesters.  Currier and Ives the Winchester way.  Love it.

Author's Response:

Vanessa,  Currier and Ives was exactly what I was going for.  I'm glad you liked my Christmas story.  Cookies for your stocking as well. 

Crystal

Reviewer: garvaldmains (Signed) · Date: 08/12/07 05:33 AM · On: Chapter 1

Lovely, thank you...

Happy Christmas! 

Dix 

Author's Response:

Dix, thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed my little piece of Christmas.

Crystal

Reviewer: staffy08 (Signed) · Date: 08/12/07 02:08 AM · On: Chapter 1

I did enjoy your holiday offering Crystal. ;) Really liked it, thanks for the read.

Merrie

Author's Response:

Merrie dear, thanks for filling my Christmas stocking :)

Crystal