Once Upon a Christmas Carol: (A Sweet Christian Fiction Holiday Story with Themes of A Christmas Carol set in Michigan)

176 pages Revell Publisher Publication Date September 2,2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

What will happen when a tropical escape from holiday blues turns into a snowy wonderland filled with joy and cheer?

Carol Langstrom hates Christmas. Growing up in a dysfunctional home, with a birthday on December 25 and too many dashed childhood expectations, she would rather avoid the holiday season. And working in the design industry where she manages seasonal decor for wealthy, entitled clients certainly hasn’t helped!   

So, this year her goal is to flee to the Bahamas–by herself–bah humbug! But bad weather and God’s radically different plan redirect her flight to blustery Michigan, where she gets stuck on her aunt’s farm and discovers a different kind of Christmas–one wrapped in love, family, and holiday spirit.

Melody Carlson’s Christmas novella delivers all the charm of a holiday Hallmark movie, is rooted in Christian faith, woven with sweet romance, and features A Christmas Carol themes.

MY THOUGHTS

Once again, the author writes a lovely Christmas story that tugs on your heartstrings.
Carol Langstrom strongly dislikes Christmas. With a Christmas birthday and way too many disappointing holidays as a child Christmas is something she’d rather avoid at all costs.
A tropical vacation is what she’s planned this year, sun, warmth and relaxation. Others can have Christmas she’ll leave those memories behind though.
Bad weather has other plans for her though as she’s stranded on an aunt’s Michigan farm that she hadn’t ever met. A beautiful example of how changed plans aren’t always a bad thing. Found family, feel good story, unexpected romance and holiday spirit.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

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