Embrace the magic of the Christmas season with these contemporary twists on timeless tales.Upon a Dream — A rare sleeping disorder keeps Talia from performing, but when Philip recognizes her gift, he’ll do whatever it takes to see her onstage.Claim My Heart — Li Na and Colin Wen face off in a Mulan-esque courtroom battle where the real win might be losing their hearts.A Snow White Christmas — … losing their hearts.
A Snow White Christmas — Sheltered heiress Amala White flees her conniving stepmother’s plans and finds refuge with a handsome orchard owner and his seven quirky uncles.
Christmas Ella — Reality TV meets Cinderella story when a location director is swept off her feet by a rising star.
A Splash of Love — Las Vegas glitz meets Land of Enchantment culture in A Splash of Love, a modern twist on the Little Mermaid.
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What if Sleeping Beauty was just the girl next door? Or your coworker was Mulan or
Cinderella? What if Snow White showed up for Christmas dinner, or you had a houseguest who led a double life as a performing mermaid? Such is the order of the day in Once Upon a Christmas, an utterly charming collection of modern day fairytales set against a Yuletide backdrop.
Each story features a more flawed yet approachable version of a heroine many of us watched in movies or heard about in bedtime tales. And each story showcases the unique creative talents of the author presenting it. Andrea Boyd’s protagonists shine with authentic personalities and inspiring character arcs. Mikal Dawn’s narrative brings humor and pathos to a moral dilemma. Toni Shiloh’s trademark blend of swoon-worthy hero and heart-melting romance enchants as it points the way to the Great Love Story. Angela Ruth Strong navigates the complexities of modern family and romance with grace and a lighthearted touch. And Jaycee Weaver delights with a fragile protagonist turned valiant through faith and concern for others.
All of the modern maidens are united in their ultimate discovery of love, not only from their respective princes but also from family and, most importantly, from God.
I recommend this story to all lovers of holiday spirit, hope-fueled narratives, and happy endings.
I received an advance copy of this book, but was not obligated to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Do you like fairy tales? I do. Always have. My mama read bible stories and fairy tales to me and my little brother every night. I still love fairy tales! This collection is absolutely delightful. It is a retelling of well known fairy tales in a contemporary setting. The stories are told by Angela Ruth Strong, Andrea Boyd, Toni Shiloh, Jaycee Weaver and Mikal Dawn. Good authors to read. This collection was so much fun to read. I’m sure you will enjoy each story. Recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher for a preview copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
If you love Fairy tale’s and Christmas, then you are in for a real treat with this book. 5 authors write a fairy tale story at Christmas time. The story that Toni Shiloh writes is so sweet.
You won’t be disappointed in this story and the other stories in the book too!
I received an ARC and was not persuaded to leave a positive review for this book.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection. The average star-rating is 3.8, so I give it 4 stars. My favorites were the retellings of Snow White and Cinderella.
Here are my reviews of each novella:
“Upon a Dream” by Andrea Boyd 2/27/20 ****
This was a sweet contemporary retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I loved how it alluded to the fairytale several times as the play being performed. I also loved the characters—the most important aspect of a story for me. Talia and Philip, the three aunts, even Madison. All were distinct, easily visualized, and realistic.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because I was left wanting so much more! That’s a good thing for the author. But for this reader, I felt that we skipped over way too much, leaving the ending less-than-satisfying. I wanted to know more about Philip’s dad. Would he really have reacted that way? Would he and Carol ever get together? I also wanted to see a little more of the romance between Talia and Philip.
Other than that, though, I found it delightful! And sweet to read at any time, not just Christmas.
Favorite quotes:
“My aunts have been so good to me [sic] and I’m acting like a little snot all because of some stupid play that has nothing to do with me. Lord, please forgive me.”
“They had agreed that he would get to play the lead [sic] and Carol had been the one to suggest Sleeping Beauty when negotiations began two weeks ago.”
“Lord, take me now. In fact, tell Gabriel to go ahead and blow that horn and take us all. That way it’ll never be mentioned again. Come on, at least knock me out for the next couple of weeks until this play’s over and he moves on. Please, Lord.”
“She couldn’t understand how he did it, but the man tore up her nerves and gave her confidence all at the same time.”
“If you want to pass down a true legacy to your family, teach them about God. That’s what I did, and I hope you do the same.”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3210656640
“Claim My Heart” by Mikal Dawn 2/28/20 ***
As a contemporary retelling of Mulan, it was cute. I loved most of the references to the Disney movie, but some of them were a little obvious, a little too on-the-nose.
As a stand-alone story, I wasn’t too impressed. The quality of editing was lacking. If someone wasn’t as familiar with the animated movie, they probably would have been confused most of the time that Mush was on the scene. I also don’t like being confused about how to say the main character’s name. Was it Li with a long I or a long E sound?
And I really don’t like relationships starting off all because of physical attraction.
Favorite quotes:
“This might be the first Christmas in his life that he was dreading.”
“’Let’s go kick some Hunny buns! Yee-ha!’”
“Mush jetted his arm toward the door. ‘To battle for love!’ ‘You’re pushing it.’ He paused, looked back at Colin, then faced the door again, his arm once more reaching forward. ‘To battle for like!’”
“Tonight was made for celebrating. ‘Would you like to stay for dinner?’ From behind, her father spoke. ‘Would you like to stay forever?’” Perfect ending quote, it almost didn’t need the epilogue after this.
“A Snow White Christmas” by Toni Shiloh 2/28/20 *****
I really enjoyed this one! The seven uncles were a little unrealistic, but everything else was so engaging. I couldn’t put it down! I loved the setting, the characters (except the stepmom Mara—I thought she was a little one-dimensional, with no redeeming qualities—but I loved the extra meaning to her name), and the slow romance. I also liked that the relationship was based on more than just physical attraction.
Favorite quotes:
“Barley wiped his paws on the welcome mat before following them inside.” This dog has done nothing but make me smile. 🙂
“How had she never known a kiss was supposed to feel like this? That it would make her insides ache with feelings she didn’t quite want to name and desire that had her yearning to get closer.”
“Okay, perhaps she should shove the physical emotions aside. She didn’t need to think about his kisses or how she felt in his arms. Because when it came down it, a relationship couldn’t be based on that.” Yes!
“Christmas Ella” by Angela Ruth Strong 3/1/20 *****
What a clever take on the classic Cinderella story! If I hadn’t known it was a retelling, I might not have even noticed most of the subtle allusions. But I would have been confused about why Ella calls her beloved neice “mouse.” That was stretching it a bit, I thought.
But the setting, the reality TV show details, and all the dynamics between characters were so well thought out without being too obvious. I couldn’t put it down! (I did find a few typos, though.)
Favorite quotes:
“Laughing at herself was both her strength and her weakness. Made her fun to be around. Also made it rough to cleanup [sic] after her messes.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt when falling for me.”
“Was this a normal step in dating? Couples discussing logically whether they were going to fall for each other or not?”
“He propped an ankle on his knee to settle in for a long night’s chat. If Ella had only called to talk about skiing, she would have taken care of that at the beginning of their conversation.”
“Was this how Joe Fox felt in You’ve Got Mail when showing up to reveal himself to Kathleen Kelly?”
“In the end, the sisters won. An agonizing premonition of things to come.”
“A Splash of Love” by Jaycee Weaver 3/3/20 **
This one started off cute but ended unrealistically and contrived. This retelling of the Little Mermaid was cute but a little too obvious. I did like many of the quotes from Disney’s animated movie. I liked Derek’s and Brie’s characters but was confused with her family.
Part of the problem was less-than-perfect editing. There were many contradictions and illogical constructions that just kept pulling me out of the story.
And while the ending was mostly satisfying, the epilogue felt too far in the future. We skipped so much.
Favorite quotes:
“The kitschy doodads and gizmos galore. And thingamabobs? They’ve got plenty.”
“Because if this was how I reacted every time he was near? I might as well have no voice at all.”
“I would never survive several weeks on constant fight-or-flight mode. It would be a struggle, but I had to find a way to let my personality shine.”
“Before I could enjoy the sensation, she pulled away and leapt from the bench, flew through the door of her suite and slammed it shut. Now I was the speechless one.”
“And my belly’s flip flops could make a beach bum proud.”
“Upon a Dream” by Andrea Boyd
What a fun take on “Sleeping Beauty”! And, what a unique way to cause the Aurora character to be cursed by sleep. I found the characters in this novella to be well crafted and relatable. And, I really appreciate the message that accepting God as our Boss means surrendering everything to Him — even how we deal with the things God allows in our lives.
“Claim My Heart” by Mikal Dawn
I am not a “Mulan” fan. I don’t hate the story or anything, it’s just not a fairy tale I’ve ever gravitated towards. However, I LOVE “Claim My Heart.” What a fantastic story! I found the plot engaging, and the characters are so well written. And, there is a fabulous discussion on lying. Is it ever OK to lie? What if the lie is for a good reason? While tempted to say, “Yes,” the real answer is “No” because a lie always hurts someone. No matter the good intentions behind a lie, someone is bound to be hurt by the subterfuge.
“Snow White Christmas” by Toni Shiloh
What a wonderful and realistic way to tell a “Snow White” tale! I loved this story so much I devoured it. It’s so well written, highly engaging, and fast-paced. I adored the characters — they all played their parts well and are very relatable — but the uncles are my favorite! They are each unique in their own right, but such a fun nod to the original seven dwarves. What I also love about this story is how connected to God Amala and Marcus are. They go to God no matter what and bring Him their fears, failings, random musings, and hard questions. They are definitely an excellent example of a genuine relationship with God.
“Christmas Ella” by Angela Ruth Strong
“Cinderella” is my most favorite fairy tale ever! I have always appreciated the fact that the “Prince Charming” character can see past all the fake of the pretty girls he’s supposed to like and sees the “Cinderella” character for who she really is. “Christmas Ella” does NOT disappoint. Paxton and Ella are excellent, and I rooted for them from their first meeting. And, I enjoyed wholeheartedly the modern twist of setting this story within a reality TV setting — so much fun!
“A Splash of Love” by Jaycee Weaver
Oh, my word! “A Splash of Love” is SO good. There is so much action in this little novella it reads like a full-length story. Gabrielle and Derek are excellent Ariel and Prince Eric characters, but they’re also unique and relatable in their own ways. I was rooting for them the WHOLE story. And the conflict in this story is stellar. I was flipping pages so fast, if I had been reading a paper copy of this book I would have given myself papercuts! I’ve never read anything by Jaycee Weaver before. After this introduction, I’m definitely going to check out all of her books!
Overall, Once Upon a Christmas is a super fun and unique fairy tale retelling that I highly recommend. Purchase your copy today. You will not be disappointed that you did.
I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon on September 30, 2019, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Upon a Dream”
A fun story with a new spin on the sleeping beauty story. I enjoyed the character of Talia with her quiet insecurities and the references to the original tale. Integration of the sleeping beauty curse worked well.
Although set during the holiday season and the production is given a holiday theme, it is not an overtly Christmas-themed story. Perfect for reading any time of the year!
Plus, what a dreamy cover!
“Claim My Heart”
Captures the essence of Mulan without being over the top. I enjoyed the cultural differences and how the author adapted the story to a modern situation. Memorable characters and a cute romance.
“A Snow White Christmas”
I thoroughly enjoyed the snow covered mountain setting and the cabins at Seven Groves. If only one could really stay there! Thankfully, all seven dwarves are included in the story in a truly fun way.
As I read, I was reminded of all the little reasons Snow White is not my favorite fairytale. This of course is not a fault of A Snow White Christmas, but of my own expectations. A Snow White Christmas includes loveable characters, quality writing, and a workable storyline.
Includes too many good things (a romantic afternoon of cider making anyone? snowball fights, and Christmas!) to miss.
“Christmas Ella”
Christmas and Cinderella, what could be better?
This modern retelling includes a reality show family, and a strong independent woman ready to fall in love–if she finds a worthy man.
With sleigh rides, mistletoe and ice skating this is a Christmas story with all the fixin’s. The added twist of having it all take place in Jackson Hole, Wyoming sets it apart from any other Cinderella story you’ve ever read.
The author combines her ability to create a heart-tugging romance with humor to deliver a delightful holiday read.
“A Splash of Love”
Yet another wonderful reimagining of a classic tale–real tail included! A wonderful contrast of locations (Vegas and New Mexico) creates a unique Christmas story that culminates in finding a place you truly belong.
This ended up being one of my favorite stories with the traditional New Mexico trappings and references to places that are so dear to my family.
It’s hard to be critical of mermaids. I did find the “bad guy” and the reveal of dastardly deeds a bit over the top, but it did little to take away from the overall story.
Derek and Brie’s story is one I look forward to revisiting on another Christmas.
What a fabulous collection of modern-day fairy tale retellings set around Christmas time! Even if you’ve never heard of the authors in this collection, you should rush out to get this book if you’re a fan of fairy tale retellings. Each novella is well-written and absolutely delightful. A couple of the authors are new to me and I really enjoyed the introduction to their writing.
Andrea Boyd spins a fascinating retelling of Sleeping Beauty in Upon A Dream, complete with interesting “fairy godmother” aunts, a lively production of Sleeping Beauty on stage, and an obscure medical condition. It reads like a full-length novel with a detailed plot and well-developed characters.
Mikal Dawn plunges into the world of corporate law in Claim My Heart to cleverly recreate Mulan in the heart of Seattle during a hostile takeover. It’s definitely a laugh-out-loud kind of romantic comedy, filled with funny scenes and tender relationships as Colin and Li find their purpose as attorneys.
Toni Shiloh’s A Snow White Christmas brings together an isolated and lonely heiress with a mountain doctor and his seven vertically-challenged uncles. It’s a fun spin on Snow White with well-crafted plot details and lovable characters to make the story feel complete.
Angela Ruth Strong takes Cinderella and sets the story in the midst of a reality TV show production with different twists to the traditional storyline thrown into the plot along the way. A very cute story with lots of fun secondary characters and backstories that surface.
Jaycee Weaver brings Little Mermaid to life in a Las Vegas casino as two family-owned businesses work to expand their prospective clientele reach. It’s a very cute rendition of the classic fairytale and has quite a few lines from the Disney movie intermingled into the story. The first person perspective is different from the other novellas in the collection and works well as the wonders, sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of New Mexico are unwrapped through the first person.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Five Fabulous Fairytales!
I loved all five of these fabulous fairytales! Each one is a very well written, modern-day twist on a familiar story. I loved how each author wove faith and prayer into their stories. It was touching.
The romances are sweet. I loved all the heroines and their heroes. There is a complete range of classic evil characters, a nasty cousin, a “Hun”, a wicked step-mother, spoiled selfish, sisters and mother, and the worst (in my opinion) evil, twisted step-sister ever!
I’m sure I will be reading these again
Five stories to bring you some holiday cheer
What a joy all five of these stories where. I know they all take place around Christmas, but they were not so Christmasy that I felt overwhelmed. In fact, I don’t see why you can’t read these through out the book.
I wish I could pick each one apart for you, but honestly, they were mostly equal on the romance and on the intrigue. The stories where easy to follow and a joy to read. I read this during a vacation and was able to finish each novella in a few hours.
Sometimes, I find these collections difficult to read because there is such a drastic difference in the writers and their abilities. This collection was equally matched. I found some new authors to add to my list of “to read” as well as enjoyed some favorites. There is nothing I can say negatively about this book except that the stories weren’t long enough. Bravo!
***I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit. These views are honest and entirely my own.
What fun! The authors took well-known tales and made them modern. You can just imagine meeting these people on the street. Yet we have fairy tales. Heroes. Modern Day Princesses. Seven….Dwarfs? And all at Christmas! It’s magical.
If you’re looking for a new twist on old stories, sweet romances, and Christmas then you’ll want to grab this book full of wonderful characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
This is a wonderful collection of Christmas stories. They are all of our favorite fairy tales retold in a contemporary setting around Christmas. This book will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. I loved it!
I enjoyed the fairytale retellings so much that I’d like to read more about the characters in each book. I learned about ALS. (I think that’s what it was – and I’ve never heard of it before). I’d have to say my favorite story was the retelling of Snow White. Great job ladies! Perfect my Christmas in July book pick.
This was a great book. I liked all five Christmas themed fairytales. All the authors did a great job in writing what hopefully will be a Christmas must read for every year.
This is a delightful collection of five retold, re-imagined fairy tales, especially for the holiday season. I was familiar with one author, but I am now also on the lookout for the other authors’ works. Here are my quick thoughts on each:
Upon a Dream by Andrea Boyd
This anchor story for the collection sets Sleeping Beauty in a theater with a unique twist for modern-day. I enjoyed the unfolding of this retold fairy tale, with its updates for today’s world.
Claim My Heart by Mikal Dawn
Would you believe I have never watched Mulan? As a result, I had no “original” with which to compare this. This was my least favorite, but it was because of the character’s integrity.
A Snow White by Toni Shiloh
I liked the way Marcus asked God for wisdom even about the relationship. The “seven uncles” was a neat idea, especially the way that the relationships occurred.
Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong
Strong always surprises me with her ingenuity, creativity, and humor in unexpected places. I have never met a story of Strong’s I haven’t loved.
A Splash of Love by Jaycee Weaver
As full of deceit and treachery as the original tale, this one was more painful. You’ll have to read it to see why I say that.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors. This in no way affected my opinions, which are solely my own.
Once Upon a Christmas is comprised of some of the most imaginative fairy tale re-tellings of Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Snow White, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid I’ve read. They’re all highly creative! Three of the stories I found most enjoyable with engaging characters and plots, and would definitely give five stars. The other two were inventive but didn’t quite hit the five star mark for me, hence my overall four stars.
With themes of love and acceptance woven along with faith in Christ, each re-telling definitely has a refreshing quality. I found a new-to-me author that will be on my future TBR list too. For fans of contemporary fiction, it’s worth buying for a few hours of charming distraction that will bring more than a few smiles and chuckles. Just wait until you meet the Uncles. 🙂
I was provided a copy from the publisher with no obligation to post a review but I also purchased my own Kindle copy.
My thoughts on Once Upon A Christmas:
These are such fun stories! We’re all familiar with the fairy tales they’re based on but these are so unique and one of a kind. They’re going to hit you with all the warm fuzzy romance feels.
I don’t think I can pick a favorite though I really loved the seven quirky uncles. They made me laugh quite a bit. Growing up my favorite fairy tale was Beauty and the Beast as I loved Belle. Plus of course, she got to read all the books in that huge library and wouldn’t that be amazing?!
Though Belle didn’t get a feature in this book I do think they would have done her story justice too.
Each of the authors has their own writing style. I again can’t choose a favorite author out of these gals anymore than I could choose a favorite little story.
If you’re wanting to lose yourself in a wonderful compilation of short romance novels this is the book for you! This is one that I’d curl up on the couch with after the kids are all in bed as a wind-down before I go to bed myself. Sip a glass of hot tea and enjoy the romance.
I’m definitely going to be checking out some of these authors for other books as well. Anytime I pick up a new name to add to my growing list of authors to watch you know it’s one you’ll enjoy. This book gets the thumbs up from me and I hope you enjoy it too.
Side note. I’ve never seen or read Mulan so I don’t know how close that resembles the story of that particular fairy tale but for the others, I love how they pulled out some key things and then made the story their own.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Once Upon a Christmas is a collection of five novellas that are modern retellings of fairy tales. Each Novella has a different author and story, but they all are fun to read! The collections contains:
Once Upon A Dream by Andrea Boyd, a very cute story of Sleeping Beauty. I loved the author’s interpretation and how she worked a rare medical disorder into the story, I also loved that this book was set in a theater, the story felt very natural, I would enjoy it as a full length novel.
Claim My Heart by Mikal Dawn is Mulan inspired story that has a daughter representing her father without his knowledge for his health. I enjoyed how the author wrote her own story but beautifully weaved some lines from Mulan into the story.
A Snow White Christmas by Toni Shiloh is an interesting take on Snow White. Amala is fleeing her stepmother, but she has no idea the danger she is in I loved the Uncles in the family and how Shiloh illustrated that Family is more than blood. This book isn’t all fluff, and had a lot going on for it to be a novella.
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Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong is a modern Cinderella story. Ella works as location director for the King family’s Reality TV show, but when she gets too close to the prince of the family the true personality of the family comes out. I would love to get more of this story !
A Splash of Love by Jaycee Weaver is a delightful modern take on The Little Mermaid. I enjoyed this story from both perspectives, I did not see the villain twist coming, but I really enjoyed it!
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved this collection! I love Christmas and I love happy endings, so this collection was perfect. Each story was so much fun to read. From reimagining the classic stories of Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty to modern spins on The Little Mermaid and Mulan, this collection is a sweet read overflowing with great characters, modern adventures, and of course, lots of happily ever afters. I honestly couldn’t decided which story was my favorite!
Hallmark + Disney + Christmas = all the love for this collection! Keep an eye out for all of the little nods to the original fairytales and the Disney version!
Enjoy the wonderful collection of stories that feature Christmas, laughter, love and hope. Each story is unique but brings a great message of belonging and the Christmas Spirit. I enjoyed the variety of authors and how each story flowed with compassion and celebration.
Upon A Dream by Andrea Boyd
I could tell right away that this story was going to be a fun one. The aunts are a hoot in the story with good intentions toward their niece Talia. Having an unusual medical condition prevents Talia from living a normal life at times. I don’t think it would be fun to sleep for days or months at a time. When you wake up, you realize you have lost valuable time that you can never get back.
The big production at the theater this year that the aunts own is not anywhere close to a Christmas play. Talia is not sure her aunts are thinking clearly when she learns that someone is in charge of the production of Sleeping Beauty for their Christmas play. What were the aunts thinking? I loved getting to go behind the scene at a theater through the words of a gifted writer.
It’s a lovely story of finding strength, believing in yourself and following your dreams. The retelling of Sleeping Beauty in a modern twist is full of surprises and delightful characters
Come fall in love with Talia, Phillip, the aunts and the spirit of Christmas.
Claim My Heart by Mikal Dawn
The dreaded tale of a take over by undermining people make this story so intriguing. I absolutely adored Li Na. Her devotion to her father is a wonderful example of honoring your mother and father. She wants to do right and honor the family name while working with an unlikely person named Colin. It was interesting to see Colin not do what his boss wanted. His decision to help Li Na in court will be a challenge on his career.
Their instant chemistry was sweet and I loved how both seemed to be tongue tied at times as they face the feelings of attraction for each other. I love court stories where the underdog takes on a big company. This story is loosely based on Mulan and moves at a great pace. I loved learning about how a company operates and the heart and soul of its founder. There are many surprises in the story as two people lean on God as they try to help someone keep their company. In the spirit of Christmas, miracles do happen.
A Snow White Christmas by Toni Shiloh
Amala’s heart is broken when she hears a confession in secret from the man she loves. Oh how I wanted to comfort her as she knows she has been used. She isn’t thinking clearly as she drives off into a snow storm.
Marcus happens along when he sees a car on the side of the road that looks like it has been in a wreck. He finds Amala shaking in her car and decides to take her to his family’s place. I loved the subtle hint of apples as Marcus’s family runs The Seven Groves which is an apple orchard. The story is really quite wonderful with the seven uncles who each have distinctive personalities. The creativity in this story is remarkable as the author delights readers in a take on a beautiful fairy tale.
Trouble has come to hurt Amala in the form of a man and an evil woman who has greed on their mind. Marcus senses something is wrong and knows Amala is running from someone. His prayer for God to help him and show him how to be compassionate towards others is nice. I liked the part when Marcus shares Jesus with Amala and explains how darkness can keep you away from Him.
The story is a wonderful example of trusting, finding God , experiencing happiness and a Christmas surrounded by loving people.
Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong
Ella and Paxton don’t get off to a good start when Paxton hears Ella on the phone. She is not happy that she missed Paxton getting off the plane and shares her irritation on the phone with her dad. It sure was funny when Ella realizes Paxton heard her conversation. I don’t think this relationship is getting off on the right foot. Ella has a lot of work ahead of her to get Paxton to accept her apology.
The theme of Cinderella is at the center of this story filled with charming men and great humor. Ella has a handsome man who she needs to win over in order for the show to go on. Paxton’s family is a handful with out of control sisters who feel privileged and a mother who insists on traveling with an cat with a temper.
I did like Paxton and how patient he is with his family. They are selfish at times, but he loves them and always watches out for them. It’s Christmas time and family is important to Paxton. Ella is having a wonderful morning with her niece that she adores. I hope she has enough strength to deal with what is ahead for her. One of the best lines I’ve read in a while comes from Paxton speaking to Ella. ” I don’t want you to get hurt when falling for me, ” he says as they talk about ice skating. That made me chuckle. Paxton sure is a charmer.
There are godmothers, a prince, mean sisters, a mother who only wants the best for her son or maybe what is best for her. The highlight of the story is the ball where Paxton may find his princess.
A Splash of Love by Jaycee Weaver
Mermaids have always fascinated me. I have not had the pleasure to see a show where mermaids swim in a big tank entertaining customers. This story reflects the famous Little Mermaid. Derek has his eyes on the beautiful Gabrielle as she leads the mermaids in a show that pleases the crowd.
What are the odds that he will later meet Gabrielle in person when he attends a meeting. Sirene is a spit fire and pretty mean to Gabrielle. I think there could be a little jealousy going on with Gabrielle receiving the green eyed monster look from her sister. I liked how the author takes us to the beauty of New Mexico . It’s a wonderful story of finding your dream while finding love during the holidays. There a few twists that I found intriguing and Derek’s family added warmth to the story. There are a lot of similarities to the fairy tale in this story which I enjoyed. God is at the center of this story as Gabrielle sees her dream drawing closer. She must learn to trust God and wait on Him.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Once Upon a Christmas: Contemporary Retellings of Timeless Tales is a wonderful collection of Christmas stories perfect for this time of year!
Upon a Dream by Andrea Boyd is the contemporary retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Talia has a rare sleeping disorder that keeps her from performing, but Philip will do anything to help her reach that dream and one day perform onstage in front of an audience.
Claim My Heart by Mikal Dawn is the contemporary retelling of Mulan, but instead of the biggest battle happening on the field it is happening in the courtroom. Li Na and Colin Wen might also be in danger of losing their hearts, but in the end isn’t that more of a win than a loss?
A Snow White Christmas by Toni Shiloh is the contemporary retelling of Snow White. When Amala flees her home after finding out her fiance cheated on her and to get away from her conniving and ruthless step-mother she finds safety and refuge with Marcus and his seven uncles.
Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong is the contemporary retelling of Cinderella. Location director Ella Goodwin’s Christmas couldn’t get worse than having to leave family during the holiday, but she was wrong. She had to pick up rising star Paxton King whose sisters have made her life extremely difficult. As it turns out he is nothing like is sisters and he is doing his best to sweep her off her feet.
A Splash of Love by Jaycee Weaver is the contemporary retelling of the Little Mermaid. Gabrielle worked for her sister at the Mermaid Isle Resort Casino owned by the Triton Hotels, Inc. and pretty much hated it so when her step-father propositions her with her dream of opening a museum gallery she jumps at it. The only catch is she has to shadow her step-sister for six months and finish school and then her dream will be a reality.
I absolutely loved this collection! Perfect Christmas stories with a modern day fairy tale twist.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.