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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Beware the Dreadful Scrooge! A Deadly Christmas Disease

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

If you're anxious to get ready for Christmas, I recommend Rebekah Jones' Christmas Carol Society. Dickens feel, Scrooge, & friendship. Bliss. via @chautonahavig

She sent messages as she wrote–little things that delighted her, frustrating moments when characters wouldn’t behave, the works.

I just watched it all come together.

If you’ve never seen a book baby grow and be born, you’ve missed out on a whole lot of fun.

As usual, I made a note to order a copy right away, but I didn’t have time to read it.  So when a blog tour came along, I signed up.  Why?  Because let’s face it. When you need an excuse to do what you’re dying to do, you jump at the chance when it strolls past waving a “grab me” sign.

Come on, with a name like Christmas Carol Society, how could the book go wrong?

Beware the Dreadful Scrooge! A Deadly Christmas Disease christmas carol society

Note: links are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. 😀

Beware the Dreadful Scrooge! A Deadly Christmas Disease

Oh, boy. What a ride!  Christmas Carol Society offers a multi-layered story with all the delight and appeal of the story that inspired it as well as It’s a Wonderful Life and a touch of “The Gift of the Magi,” too.  In fact, I feel like an idiot now that I’m done reading the book.  Maybe halfway through it, I realized that It’s a Wonderful Life IS A Christmas Carol.

With a writing style reminiscent of Dickens himself (but not too heavy-handed with it), Rebekah Jones offers a solid Christian story with the part of Dickens’ story told that Dickens left out–the true Reason for transformation.

Add to that a subtle subplot told almost entirely in subtext, this encouraging novel also packs depth that doesn’t weigh down the reader.

Look, I had no doubt I’d like the book.  I mean, Christmas Carol?  A society of people committed to taking the lessons of A Christmas Carol seriously?  And the fallout from that?  Duh. I’m gonna like it.

I just didn’t know how much I’d love it.  Christmas Carol Society offers everything you could want in a Christmas read. Recommended for lovers of Dickens, Christmas, and classic retellings that aren’t too “on the nose.”  Not recommended for Scrooges in ugly sweaters.

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Comments

  1. Ava says

    September 13, 2020 at 11:19 am

    I read this book last night and enjoyed it. I was actually looking for a romance between Albert and the cousin or one for Charlie. Maybe a sequel? I liked how the stories played out. You knew what would happen, but not exactly how. Thanks for the recommendation!

    Reply
  2. Amelia says

    September 1, 2020 at 5:03 pm

    This sounds like an interesting read. I have only read one book by this author so far and I loved it!

    Reply
  3. Linda Palmer says

    September 1, 2020 at 12:38 pm

    The story sounds very interesting! And I do like Christmas themed stories and especially A Christmas Carol.

    Reply
  4. Andrea Stoeckel says

    September 1, 2020 at 10:50 am

    Having had many a sermon written about Scrooge, I have always been a suvker for the “ol’guy” and would love this book

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d’Entremont
byChautona Havig

When Lara d’Entremont began describing her YA portal fantasy, The Painted Fairytale, I knew this would be right up my alley. Listen in and see how art becomes the portal to other worlds!

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Portal fantasy is my favorite, so I was crazy excited to learn about this one–especially the art tie-in. I can’t wait to dive in myself.

We chatted about her characters, the world, and the faith that connects them.

The Painted Fairytale by Lara d’Entremont

Seventeen-year-old Wren Devine refuses to share her art with anyone-other than her parents and her sister (who died three years prior). But when her mother submits her artwork to a mentorship program, and she gets accepted, Wren is forced to display her artwork for the eccentric Professor Hayes. Despite her fears, Wren hopes this mentorship will finally make her as worthy as her sister.

But this mentorship is about more than painting.

Wren soon learns that she has a magical ability to turn her paintings into portals to travel not only to other places but also to another world entirely. An eerie children’s book in the professor’s classroom reveals a wicked pirate with a vengeance who has her eye on Stefan Branson, a former student of Professor Hayes.

As all four of these lives intersect, it becomes apparent that everyone has a secret–some more deadly than others. The longer these secrets brew, the more deadly and heavy they become, and possibly lead to never seeing her former, earthly realm again. Wren must not only learn to release the shadow of her beloved sister but step boldly into her own world.

Learn more about Lara on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.or on Subtack.

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Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d’Entremont
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October 27, 2025
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