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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

When You Wish Upon a Christmas Star…

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

We’re back for Wonderland Wednesday in our Wonderland Wishes promotion, and this week we’re featuring Kathleen Freeman’s Once upon a Christmas Star.

Ever since I read the synopsis, I have been dying to read this story, so when it came time for Kathleen’s feature, I asked if I could review it. She agreed. Thanks, Kathleen!

When You Wish Upon a Christmas Star...

Note: links in this post may be affiliate links which provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

When You Wish Upon a Christmas Star…

I distinctly remember the year my mother gave me O’ Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” to read. The story did deep, beautiful things in my soul. It resonated with me like my father’s weep-worthy ballads.

So when I went to school and told my friends, none of them thought it the beautiful and amazing like I did. They all said some variation of, “That’s horrible! Neither of them got a gift!”

But I saw it. Probably thanks to those years of listening to those ballads. I saw the richness and beauty of two people giving everything they had for another. My throat still aches thinking of the love and sacrifice.

Once upon a Christmas StarOf course, I had to buy the collection to read Once upon a Christmas Star. Finally.

That .99 price tag just about broke the budget, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Take one for the team and all that. Flipping past other stories to get to it—also not easy. But I managed.

And the story opened.

Let’s start with the writing. Kathleen Freeman has a beautiful ability to dance on the edge of almost lyrical writing without weighing down the story with excess description and words. She knows just where to turn a phrase with beautiful precision and where to paint a simple picture.

Characters—she did a fabulous job of giving each person a distinct personality. Misty’s insecurities just fit. Her strengths tugged against her uncertainties.

Jack… I loved knowing him better because of what he did than what he said or others said about him. Things were obvious without being spoken. Freeman did a fabulous job of that.

Another couple… well, things went a bit swift there, but somehow it fit. It shouldn’t have, but it did.

And that horrible thing about novellas—the way they feel so rushed half the time?

Yeah. It didn’t happen.

My only, small but definitely there, objection to this story is how neatly one situation is wrapped up—a bit over-the-top neatly. However, because of part of the storyline—a bit about God being in the business of miracles—really did help make it work. It’s just my only objection, and I suspect many would have been disappointed if Freeman didn’t do that.

Once upon a Christmas Star is a rich story with well-rounded characters in a natural timeline. Only one tiny bit felt rushed and it still worked. It was as if she took the rushed element and made it part of the story. I recommend it to anyone who loves a story about Christmas joys.

You can follow Kathleen to learn more about her books on:

  • Facebook
  • Website
  • Pinterest
  • Goodreads
  • TripAdvisor
  • Instagram

If you missed the previous weeks’ posts from the other authors in the collection, you can find them here:

  • Lynnette Bonner
  • Jan Cline
  • Lesley McDaniel
  • Sylvia Stewart

Next week… Dori Harrell and her debut novella, A Christmas Hallelujah!

When You Wish Upon a Christmas Star...

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 162: A Chat with Author, Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

Hey, we’re back after a couple of weeks of vacation, and boy did I need it. And, have I got a fabulous interview for you. Nancy Naigle and I talked about her books, her most recent release, What Remains True as well as her Christmas books and the one I’m most anxious to read, The Shell Collector. Listen in and learn about what Nancy says about this bet she has going on in What Remains True. Great stuff!

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

Need a Great Romantic Read to Wind Up Your Summer Reads?

As I said in the podcast, a while back, someone told me I’d LOVE The Shell Collector–one of those people who recommends books you HAVE to read if they say you do.  So I bought it and it’s been sitting on my shelf ever since. Well, now it’s on my GoodReads shelf, and I’m about to start it (and I optimistically thought I’d be done with it by the time this episode released. Oh, me of too much faith in myself and my time management!)

Author of over thirty books, not to mention a bestselling author who also has movies made of her novels (And The Shell Collector has been optioned! EEEP!), Nancy loves to write Christmas books and small-town stories. Seriously, as we talked, I felt like she was talking about me half the time. We’re so very alike in so many ways. It was fun.

Nancy also pointed out that her first books (if you go WAY back) are not Christian fiction and are a bit spicier than she prefers to write and definitely more than she writes today. So be warned there, but she did assure us that they are all closed-door books.

What Remains True by Nancy Naigle

One woman wants to win a bet. One man wants to become a rodeo champion. One little girl may give them both something even better—from USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle.

“A commitment-phobic rodeo star and a divorcée with secrets find love in this wholesome romance. . . . As uplifting as it is sweet.”—Publishers Weekly

Working at a little shop on Main Street in a small town is exactly the break that executive Merry Anna Foster needs following her divorce. She’s made a bet with her ex-husband that she can live on the amount of money she’s giving him in alimony. If she can do it, then Kevin will have to stop complaining and leave her alone. But after three months of this new life, will she even want to leave Antler Creek?

Adam Locklear, bull rider and owner of the local feedstore, is having the best year of his rodeo career. He’s also a bit distracted by the pretty new neighbor living in his old bunkhouse. But Adam has no time for matters of the heart. He’s got his future all mapped out, and that future doesn’t involve a woman just yet. It doesn’t involve parenting a little girl either. However, Carly Fowler still suddenly leaves five-year-old Zan—the daughter Adam didn’t know he had—in his care.

Is it possible that the future holds a life even better than what Merry Anna and Adam had each dreamed of? One that includes both tenderness and even love—not just for each other but for Zan too?

You can learn more about Nancy’s books and movies on her WEBSITE.

Oh, and PSST… I’m loving the audiobook of this one!

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

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Episode 162: A Chat with Author, Nancy Naigle
Episode 162: A Chat with Author, Nancy Naigle
August 9, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
July 26, 2022
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Episode 160: A Chat with Liz Johnson about The Last Way Home
July 22, 2022
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Episode 159: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Mesu Andrews
July 19, 2022
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A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Stephanie Landsem
July 12, 2022
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Episode 157: A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Lynn Austin
July 8, 2022
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Episode 156: The Fragrance of Violets by Susan K. Beatty
July 5, 2022
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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
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Episode 154: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Sami A. Abrams
June 28, 2022
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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
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