ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS. BOOK REVIEW.

MY THOUGHTS.

Upon a dream by Andrea Boyd.

I loved the writer’s description of things and people, very very skillful I must say.
Telia’s timidity because of her condition made her a recluse. But as time went on she learnt to use the talents God had given her despite her condition.
Expectations from Philip’s family made him to sometime only think of himself until his friend Benny confronted him and he met the lovely Talia. I loved how he urged her to let go and use the talents God gave her.
I enjoyed reading about her aunties. They were very remarkable women.
A very beautiful retelling of sleeping beauty. This is my best retelling so far. I love how the writer was able to capture both sleeping beauty and the story in a novella.
I loved the settings of the book.

Claim my heart by Mikal Dawn.

I love the playful banter between Li and Colin. A couple who prays together…
I love how they weathered storms and got to be together. I especially loved reading about the beautiful family connection between Li and her father. And Christmas time made it all the better.
Li and Colin were two people who valued God as the center of their lives and choose to always do the right thing and make amends for their mistakes. I loved the infuse of the legal system. Who doesn’t love a beautiful legal story?

A Snow-white Christmas by Toni Shiloh

Awwwwwwwwwww
I have happy tears in my eyes now. This is the best retelling of Snow-white I have ever come across.
Marcus and Amala’s love was so heartwarming and beautiful. I love how life’s tragedies threw them into each other’s path. I loved reading about how they both learned to lean on God and prayers. Prayers to me saturated this book and that made it all the more delightful to read and enjoy.
One of deep lesson I got from this novella is to go to God with everything even confused romantic feelings we have towards someone or just when we are confused about deciding about someone. We should always go to him uncensored. He knows how to make sense of how we feel. After all he put the ability to feel deeply in us and he knows how best to direct it for his glory and our good.
The twist at the end was very unexpected but refreshing to read.
I loved reading this novella. This is my best novella in this collection.

Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong.

True love always finds a way.
That’s the summary of this story to me.
Pax and Ella were from two different worlds but because they loved each other they found a way to be together.
I loved reading about how Pax defended Ella from harsh comments from his family and even the world. I loved his sincerity and protectiveness over her. He had eyes only for her and that was adorable.
The sacrifices Ella made for her family were so heartwarming. She valued family and that was enough for her.
The settings of the book was good.

A Splash of love by Jaycee Weaver.

This was a very beautiful splash of love. Brie and Derek’s story was awesome. A testimony to the fact that distance can not stop love.
I loved reading about how Brie dealt with her bad stepsister with love and patience. She did all that was required of her and still managed to have time for herself.
I loved reading about Derek’s family. Such a sweet family to have and be around. Together they conquered and got to be together having their dreams come through.

I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are mine.

Click here to get your copy!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS.

MORE FROM AUTHORS

Dear Readers,

Thank you for stopping by the Celebrate Lit blog tour of Once Upon a Christmas. We are so excited to bring you this Christmas collection. All of us had a lot of fun writing it as we delved into the fairy tales of Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Snow White, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid. What we discovered when writing is that in the heart of every girl is the desire to be a princess. Now, I’m not talking about dressing up in a beautiful gown and wearing a crown while twirling around (although I, Toni, admit I would do that in a heartbeat). No, we discovered that in the heart of every girl (sister, mom, daughter, etc) is the desire to be loved and accepted.

Can Talia find someone who can accept all of her, including her health issues? Can Amala find someone who will love her for her and not her money? Can Li find acceptance for who she truly is and not the façade she presents? Will Ella find a familial kind of love? And Gabrielle, can she find a love so powerful that all her dreams will come true?

As the heroines of our stories journey down their path to love and acceptance, they all come to realize a deep-seated truth. They are loved. They are princesses. They have a love of a King who laid down His life for theirs. A King who is preparing a home for them. A King who sees who they truly are and loves them without hesitation.

As you read these stories, we pray they touch your heart. We pray they entertain you and maybe even make you laugh a time or two. And lastly, we pray the Christmas truths bless you this holiday season.

Blessings,

Andrea, Mikal, Toni, Angela, and Jaycee

BLOG STOPS

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 2

Back Porch Reads , October 2

Activating Faith, October 2

A Baker’s Perspective, October 3

Genesis 5020, October 3

Among the Reads, October 4

Just Your Average reviews, October 4

Through the Fire Blogs, October 5

Adventures of a Travelers Wife , October 5

Quiet Quilter, October 6

Blogging With Carol , October 6

Stories By Gina , October 7

Batya’s Bits, October 7

Cordially Barbara, October 7

Melissa Henderson, October 8

Connect In Fiction, October 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 9

A Diva’s Heart , October 9

A Reader’s Brain, October 10

Maureen’s Musings, October 10

Hebrews 12 Endurance, October 10

Remembrancy, October 11

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 11

For Him and My Family, October 12

She Lives to Read, October 12

Inklings and notions , October 13

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, October 13

Blossoms and Blessings, October 13

Simple Harvest Reads, October 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14

Texas Book-aholic, October 15

janicesbookreviews, October 15

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