Who's ready for Christmas? Maybe you haven't quite started thinking about Christmas yet, but it really isn't that far away at all. But whatever the case, along those Christmas-y lines, I have something to tell you about! What if I told you that there was a brand-new collection of Christmas stories out? And what if I told you that this brand-new Christmas collection was full of stories written by Christian authors desiring to show the true beauty and message of Christmas? And what if I told you that there was no violence, no romance (except for hints of a possible future romance in the last story), and no fantasy or magic? And what if I told you that all of these stories used the King James Version of the Bible only? And what if I told you that it was being released today? And what if I told you that I'm not just dreaming? :D Because today I am here to announce the release of A Homewood Christmas, a Christmas collection written by the six aunties from the King's Daughters' Writing Camp that fits all of those things I just mentioned! (An "auntie" is just what we call the older, more mature ladies placed over a group of girls over at KDWC). This beautiful book follows six stories (each written by one of the six authors) set in a little town called Homewood, Minnesota, with the time periods ranging from the mid-1800's all the way to the 21-st century. But anyway, if you haven't already noticed, I'm pretty pumped about this, so let's jump right into some details! A Homewood Christmas (By Courtenay Burden, Erika Mathews, Hannah Gridley, Angie Thompson, Rebekah A. Morris and Hannah Foster) Come home to a small-town Christmas through the ages... The close-knit community of Homewood, Minnesota might not even be a dot on most maps. But from its earliest settlement to the present day, a warm Christmas welcome and a shining Moravian star have been its hallmarks of the holiday. Step into the bustle of preparations as a young orphan travels an unexpected path to the Christmas he’s longed for and a boisterous flock of cousins learns the eternal secrets of the Christmas fruit bowl. Follow a wintery road with a widowed mother in the shadow of war and a generous aunt trying her best for her family as they search for a place where they truly belong. Slip into the fire glow next to a lonely stranger with a terrible secret and a hometown girl trying to escape past hurts, and watch Christmas light and love warm even the coldest places. With so many ways to celebrate the season, one reason undergirds them all—and the Christmas stars of Homewood never tire of telling His story! The Collection at a GlanceTitle: A Homewood Christmas Authors: Courtenay Burden, Erika Mathews, Hannah Gridley, Angie Thompson, Rebekah A. Morris, Hannah Foster Genre: Clean Christmas Fiction Theme: Hometown Christmases with Strong Christian Messages Page Count: 482 Launch Date: October 24, 2022 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61530387-a-homewood-christmas Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJV41DM3/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (This can be ordered as either an ebook or a paperback!) Let's Get the Details!A Homewood Christmas is more than just a collection of Christmas tales. It’s also a holiday treasure hunt that will keep you making surprise connections all the way through. Keep your eyes open for recurring characters, locations, and of course, the special Christmas star that pops up in every story! Star of Bethlehem (Courtenay Burden): As ten-year-old Earnest tries to help his new aunt fit in to the family during the Christmas of 1843, he learns valuable lessons about fitting in himself as he ponders the fact that Bethlehem had no room for his Savior. The Christmas Fruit Bowl (Erika Mathews): During Christmas 1900, it seems nothing can redeem the holiday for Auntie Beth’s nine nieces and nephew—except perhaps a treasured heirloom that holds eternal lessons about the true Christmas fruit of the spirit. Room in the Manger? (Hannah Gridley): During World War II, a widowed mother in the big city takes her young children home for Christmas so they can experience a real family Christmas in Homewood, but will they find room in the busy little town? Home Forever (Angie Thompson): Just before Christmas of 1955, a big-city visitor offers Magda the perfect present for her family—or is it truly what they want after all? He is Still Emmanuel (Rebekah A. Morris): Aunt Peggy befriends a troubled young woman during the Christmas season of 1985, but can she show her that, no matter what, Jesus is still Emmanuel? An Auntie for Christmas (Hannah Foster): All seven-year-old Lora wants for Christmas 2013 is for Auntie Jaz to come home--but can old hurts be mended in time for the holiday? Meet the AuthorsAm I the only one who finds that who wrote the book is half of what makes me read a book or not? Well, here's some information about these ladies so you can read about them and then, if you'd like, check out their sites! Courtenay Burden is a homeschool graduate, Victorian fanatic, and author of historical fiction. She loves working with yarn, devouring history, playing the occasional game of chess, and discovering new ways to cook the humble potato. She is passionate about good and great literature—writing that embodies both literary and spiritual excellence for the glory of Christ. Connect with Courtenay: sawpublishing.com Erika Mathews writes Christian living books, both fiction and non-fiction, that demonstrate the power of God in ordinary people, transforming daily life into His resting life. The author of the kingdom adventure fiction series Truth from Taerna, she’s passionate about encouraging others to intimately know Jesus. She enjoys playing with her children, editing, anything outdoors, being organized, autumn, apple crisp, and sunrises. Connect with Erika: restinglife.com Hannah Gridley is a church employee, a music teacher, and a historical fiction author from Arkansas. She loves gardening, online team games, English, and hot tea. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her outdoors in the garden or hiking, reading, or trying to grow something exotic. Connect with Hannah: goodreads.com/user/show/17442587-hannah or on Truth Social as @BookwormHannahGardens An avid reader and incurable story-spinner, Angie Thompson also enjoys volunteering in her church’s children’s program and starting (but not always finishing) various kinds of craft projects. She currently lives in central Virginia near most of her incredible family, including two parents, six brothers, one sister, and five siblings-in-law—plus four nieces, six nephews, and several assorted pets! Connect with Angie: quietwaterspress.com Rebekah A. Morris is a homeschool graduate, an enthusiastic freelance author, and a passionate writing teacher. Her books include, among others, Home Fires of the Great War, The Unexpected Request, Gift from the Storm, and her bestselling Triple Creek Ranch series. Some of her favorite pastimes, when she isn’t writing, include reading and coming up with dramatic and original things to do. The Show-Me state is where she calls home. Connect with Rebekah: readanotherpage.com/blog Hannah Foster was born and raised in North Carolina where she was homeschooled with her eight siblings. She attended college in Minnesota where she got her bachelor’s degree in literature, learned to survive temperatures of below zero, and became Mrs. Foster. Hannah loves writing small-town Christian romance with spunky, sassy women and strong, protective men. And if you started running as soon as you saw she writes romance, then she hopes you’ll come back and give it a chance. She writes for the ones who think they hate romance because romance as designed by God is good, beautiful, and right. So if you love small towns, families that love, gentle romance, delightful characters, and an imperfect church serving a perfect God, then you’ve come to the right place. If you don’t find Hannah reading or writing a book, you might find her watercolor painting, playing tennis with her husband, or making coffee at a small-town cafe. Connect with Hannah: hannahfosterwrites.wordpress.com Note: I have not personally read all of these stories, so I cannot give a complete endorsement. However, I have read something by all but one of these authors (and trust them!) and have even read one of these stories, "Star of Bethlehem" (which I fell in love with and so enjoyed!!). I am so excited to Lord willing be getting the book for myself and reading the rest! I hope that you will consider getting this special collection for you and perhaps a family member or friend as well! (Just click the graphic below to be taken to this book's page on Amazon!) What do you think about this collection? Are you considering getting it?
8 Comments
Lydia Jupp
10/24/2022 09:17:52 am
Oooo this is so exciting!!! The collection sounds absolutely amazing, and it's even more wonderful that it is written by our wonderful Aunties at KDWC!!!! This is definitely on my to read list!
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10/24/2022 07:05:12 pm
I know, right?! I hope you get to read it soon! I know I'm definitely excited to get to read the rest of the stories in it! :D
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10/24/2022 11:27:30 am
Thanks so much for sharing about our collection, CeeCee! I loved getting to work with the other aunties for this lovely collection and I hope you get to read all the rest of the stories in it soon!
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10/24/2022 07:08:27 pm
Well, thank y'all for writing such an exciting little (okay, now that I type that I realize how absurd that sounds; it's NOT little :P ) thing! I'm glad you had a good time working with everybody to get it out!
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Julia
10/24/2022 02:24:42 pm
I'm thinking my dearest, sweetest mother would enjoy this as her Christmas present 😍 Thank you for letting us know about it! 😊
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10/24/2022 07:12:56 pm
Oh, that's so neat! I actually remember thinking about your mom while I was preparing this post! That would be exciting if she did end up getting to read it. I shall try to keep my mouth shut about it just in case. :P
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10/28/2022 03:00:13 pm
That makes sense! I was thinking of going ahead and getting it but waiting until at least the end of November to read it too. <3
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