Thursday, September 15, 2016

God Bless Us Every One : a Contemporary Christmas Carol

GIVEAWAY

EVERSON, EVA MARIE
GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE : A CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS CAROL

Keeping Christmas in our hearts

Charlene Dixon -- called Charlie by family and friends -- is devastated at the recent loss of her job. For the last five years, the twenty-seven-year-old has blossomed as the activities director of an exclusive all-girls school. But when a misunderstanding with the headmistress leads to a pink slip right before the holidays, Charlie packs up her dreams and returns to her grandmother, Sis, who raised Charlie as her own in the mountains of North Carolina.

When Charlie arrives -- broken and confused -- Sis immediately puts her granddaughter to work behind the scenes of the local school's Christmas play, A Christmas Carol. Charlie doesn't always like working with Dustin Kennedy, the drama teacher, but Sis encourages her to take a deeper look at why the book by Charles Dickens had been written in the first place and what it could teach Charlie about the needs of people in their own community.

My Review:

A novel that embraces the spirit of Christmas as it blends a Dickens classic with a contemporary twist. The author highlights the history behind the traditional tale and has created some fascinating parallels between Charlie Dixon and Charles Dickson. Very cleverly done. And each chapter starts with a pertinent quote from The Christmas Carol.

Charlie is all about looking ahead -- she prefers contemporary to classic anything! Dustin is a true traditionalist. Talk about opposites attract! Hark -- do you hear that? Those aren`t Christmas bells  -- it`s the noxious clanging of clashing wills! Funny and poignant and sweetly tender. A story about forgiveness and hope, Everson delivers the true magic of the season.

My thanks to Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this book.


GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  God Bless Us Every One please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 18 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

39 comments:

  1. I love the sound of this book. I love the cover of this book. I love the title of this book. I see a pattern going on here!
    Thank you, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. LOL there's lots to love about it for sure. Good luck, Melanie.

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  2. Good Morning Kav,

    When I was a student teacher many years ago, I helped my students produce 'A Christmas Carol' as a radio play. They did a great job.

    I would like to read Eva Marie Everson's modern day version.

    Have a Wonderful Day!

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    1. There's nothing as exciting and hair-raising as directing students in a play. LOL You'll enjoy this one, Tammi! Good luck!

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  3. Sounds good and it's a Christmas book, need I say more?

    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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    1. LOL - My first Christmas book of the season. Good luck, Tracey.

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  4. Kav, this book sounds delightful. Thank you for the chance.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  5. This sounds like a great Christmas book. Count me in! ;)

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

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  6. Cool christmas book and sounds good. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. The cover is stunning. I think it would be a good time to read a Christmas book now!!!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Doesn't that cover beckon a reader? Good luck, rubynreba.

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  8. I agree - great cover selection! Very inviting, plus an interesting review. Thanks for the opportunity to participate. Cathy. dixiedobie at yahoo dot com

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  9. Kav, I stated in the Reader's Choice giveaway that I generally do not seek out Christmas books unless they are part of a series that I'm already involved in, but I need to clarify. I also will read if they have been recommended. Thankfully, per your review,God Bless Us Everyone sounds like a book I should have on tbr. Since I LOVE retellings, this sounds like the next best thing. I, also, like that it's over 200 pages. it's a great length to get more depth within a novella. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I didn't mark it as a novella because it's 200 pages. I think it might be considered the equivalent length of a Love Inspired novel? Definitely longer than your usual novella.

      And just to clarify -- this isn't a pure retelling of The Christmas Carol -- it definitely is in part, but the interesting connection between the book and the original is the parallel between a certain aspect of the heroine and Charles Dickens' life. So it's a bit of both and if you're looking for a true retelling, you'll be disappointed. Still really good though. Good luck, Terrill.

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    2. Thanks, Kav. I did understand from your review and synopsis. It kind of reminded me of a parallel story line and the next best thing to a re-telling. :)

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  10. Wow! This book sounds like an awesome way to get into the Christmas spirit :)

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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  11. Just thinking about the joy Christmas books give me makes me smile inside! I'm so looking forward to reading this one! Thank you Kav!

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. I love Christmas reading too. Good luck, Diane.

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  12. God Bless Us Everyone sounds like a great Christmas story to help me to feel a little cooler as well as enjoy a good story. I'm so ready for fall and cooler temps! I usually don't like the snow unless I can stay inside and just enjoy the scenery. Thanks for the review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. We just started getting cooler temps this week and I'm loving it. Someone had a woodstove burning last night. The smell made me want to curl and up and read a Christmas book. Good luck, Donna.

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  13. The cover invites you in to stay awhile. TY for your review.

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  14. Ah I love Charles Dickens so it would probably be one I'd put on my Christmas must-read list :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. It has things about Charles Dickens' background that I never knew so it was educational too. Good luck, Trixi.

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  15. I loved her Chasing Sunset and this book sounds equally promising. Thanks!
    mindyhoung(at)msn(dot)com

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    1. She knows how to write a captivating read. Good luck, Mindy.

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  16. It's just about that time of year isn't it? I'm ready for a good Christmas story.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. I love Christmas books. Count me in, Kav! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  18. Christmas book giveaway! I guess it's getting close to that time of year. :D
    I'd love to be counted in the giveaway.
    visionwriter2 at gmail dot com

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    1. And there are so many wonderful Christmas stories coming out. Good luck, Amber.

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  19. It's fun to get into the holiday spirit by reading Christmas stories.
    Dianna

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