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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why Saving Ebenezer Was My #1 Christmas Recommendation Last Year

by Chautona Havig · 7 Comments

Saving Ebenezer delighted me last year, and it's just as wonderful again. This continuation story will answer questions the original left unanswered. via @chautonahavig

Why Saving Ebenezer Was My #1 Christmas Recommendation Last Year

Saving Ebenezer is one of the best novel continuations I’ve seen. While staying faithful to the original story, he gives us more and shows us where Dickens fell just a bit short of the true goal of Marley’s warning. He even brings in one tiny element of It’s a Wonderful Life, which, of course, makes perfect sense.  After all, It’s a Wonderful Life is a retelling of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Saving Ebenezer begins seven years after the events of A Christmas Carol. It explores giving everything away without faith behind your actions.

After an opening line that ripped out my heart, Dan then really made the whole Cratchit family come alive. He wrote with a flair and style very similar to Dickens without the excessive wordiness that Dickens employed. The characters stayed who Dickens made them to be, but they grew because that’s what people do.

Dan spoke to how the original manuscript for this went to a much darker place than he finally ended with in his final draft. Instead of that dark place, he and his editors and beta readers worked together to make sure the book ends on hope.  As we discussed in the podcast, Dickens focused on hope and love, but Dan brought the element of faith in here and created a perfect trifecta right there.

saving ebenezer

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  This post is partially copied from last year’s review (I really couldn’t say anything more! That post is HERE).

Here’s the interview I did with Smith last year!

Saving EbenezerAbout the Book

Book: Saving Ebenezer

Author: S. Daniel Smith

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: October 12, 2021

Synopsis:

Seven years after Jacob Marley and the three ghosts of Christmas changed Ebenezer’s life, Scrooge has a problem. He’s given away most of his money and brightened many lives, restored churches, and made London workhouses better for those living and working inside. If only all of that made him feel better about his life…

Doubt plagues Ebenezer. Even with all of his philanthropy, he still has questions he can’t answer. Are the scales balanced? Did he do enough good after that fateful Christmas Eve to avoid Jacob Marley’s fate? And after a very special person dies, he adds another question: Why did God let it happen?

When he falls ill himself, Ebenezer’s questions take on a new desperation.

From the Cratchits to the workhouse fundraisers to nephew Fred, you’ll be reintroduced to several old friends, as well as a few new ones. With each visitor, Ebenezer tries to get closer to the answers to his questions. As the clock starts to run out, Ebenezer will need the words from an old friend to tip the scales in his favor.

Saving Ebenezer picks up on a story started by Charles Dickens in 1843 with A Christmas Carol. Christians will appreciate a heartwarming story of God’s love shown in tragedy while all readers will enjoy the common points between Saving Ebenezer and the original work.

About the Author

Saving_Ebenezer_CroppedDan Smith is a Christian, a husband, a father, a career US Navy sailor, and freelance writer living in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife and three children. His publishing history goes back 21 years when he was first published in the magazine Pentecostal Messenger.

Dan specializes in writing about life in the military, especially as it affects Christians in service. He has also tackled the issue of cystic fibrosis, the autism spectrum, and a host of other topics.

More from Dan

“I have always loved the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. From the original novella to The Muppets, I’ve been fascinated by the story. Only one thing was truly missing, and that was the real hope Christians find in Jesus Christ. In that way, Saving Ebenezer: The Continuing Saga of a man named Scrooge is my offering to my Lord. I did my best to retain the style and language of the original, as well as to stay true to the original story and characters while offering a glimpse at the hope we have in Jesus.

The biggest reason I wrote the book is to show the need for Christ. I do my best to keep from being preachy, and I believe you’ll find the book entertaining with a point. I can’t wait to hear what you think!”

Blog Stops

The Write Escape, October 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14

Genesis 5020, October 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 15

deb’s Book Review, October 16

Texas Book-aholic, October 17

Labor Not in Vain, October 17

Inklings and notions, October 18

For Him and My Family, October 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 20

Cats in the Cradle Blog, October 20

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 22

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 23

Mary Hake, October 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 24

Connie’s History Classroom, October 25

Denise L. Barela, Author, October 25

Betti Mace, October 26

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, S. Daniel is the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

To celebrate his tour, Bradley is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/122da/saving-ebenezer-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « Can 2 Great but Opposite Books Encourage You in Similar Ways?
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Comments

  1. Megan says

    October 14, 2021 at 8:11 am

    I loved Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Saving Ebenezer sounds like a wonderful book to read, thank you for the chance to win!

    Reply
  2. Roxanne C. says

    October 14, 2021 at 7:46 am

    This sounds like a terrific —and hope-filled— update to A Christmas Carol. I think it would make a wonderful movie, too.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      October 14, 2021 at 5:45 pm

      I agree!

      Reply
  3. Debbie P says

    October 13, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    This sounds like a really cool book! It is going on top of my TBR list!

    Reply
  4. Amelia says

    October 13, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Bea LaRocca says

    October 13, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    Thank you for re-sharing your review and the author interview, this sounds like an excellent read and I am looking forward to it.

    Reply
  6. Rita Wray says

    October 13, 2021 at 8:16 am

    Sounds like an interesting 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 285: A Chat about Tangles and Tinsel with Jennifer Sienes
byChautona Havig

If you’re looking for a great Christmas read, Jennifer Siennes has a new Christmas novella you won’t want to miss. Part of the Bedford County series, Tangles and Tinsel offers a new start for Kimberly and a second chance at love for Jax. Listen in to learn more!

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

How One Great New Christmas Novella Made It on My List!

In this episode, we discussed the difference between Jennifer’s Apple Hill Series and her Bedford County Series.  

Jennifer also shared her new idea for a new series that I, for one, am eager to read. EEEP!

Tangles and Tinsel by Jennifer Sienes

Why didn’t her life get the memo regarding Christmas being about peace on Earth and goodwill to men?

For the first Christmas in years, Kimberley Saint John may actually get that peace on Earth she’s been dreaming of. Daddy has been sober for going on two years (a record), and if he stays that way, she might have a chance for a life of her own. Maybe even a family. And between you, her, and the fence post, she’d love it if that family included her childhood friend Jax Jenson and his kids.

Except he’s still mourning the loss of his wife.

Jax doesn’t understand why no one has snatched up sweet, beautiful, and funny Kim. Then again, the way she carries hurt and betrayal around like battle gear might have something to do with it. And he is not knight-in-shining-armor material. His wife could’ve told her that.

Kim’s dreams are shattered when Mama shows up, after a twenty-year absence, sending Kim into a tailspin of worry for her daddy. Desperate, she turns to the one man who gets her—Jax.

What will it take for Kim and Jax to untangle emotions that keep them from trusting in God’s sovereignty and find purpose through the pain?

Learn more about Jennifer Sienes and Tangles and Tinsel on her WEBSITE. Also, follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
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  • and more!
Episode 285: A Chat about Tangles and Tinsel with Jennifer Sienes
Episode 285: A Chat about Tangles and Tinsel with Jennifer Sienes
December 2, 2023
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