Keeping Christmas Volume 1
About the Book Keeping Christmas Volume 1
Book: Keeping Christmas Volume 1
Authors: Cathe Swanson, Chautona Havig, Olivia Talbott, Kathleen J. Robison, Denise L. Barela, Marguerite Martin Gray, and Naomi Craig.
Genre: Christian Christmas Romance
Release date: October 4, 2022
In castles far and near, long ago and yesterday, find happily-ever-afters wrapped in love and tied with Christmas joy.
The Lights of Castlebourne (by Cathe Swanson and Chautona Havig):
He bowled her over at first sight–his dog, that is. Sydney just wanted a chance to do the landscape design at Castlebourne. She never dreamed the owner’s electrician would light up her heart at Christmas.
The Girl From Dalarna (by Olivia Talbott):
She’s the most beautiful woman in Sweden, but she doesn’t want to be. A simple life among milk cows is all she desires. Will a scandal upend her plans and ruin her chances for love?
The Cross at Morioka Castle (by Kathleen J. Robison):
In the ancient land of shoji screens and tatami mats, Ariko finds the stone ruins of Morioka Castle, and the mysterious cross that holds the secret of a Christian faith extending far deeper than Ariko ever imagined.
The Ghost of Christmas… (by Denise L. Barela):
Abbigayl needs to get away for Christmas this year. No family, no questions about why she’s still single, no suggestion about being set up with someone’s friend. What will happen when Neuschwanstein Castle’s past converges with Abbigayl’s future?
Crystal Clear (by Marguerite Martin Gray):
Rosalind’s muddied past and foggy future crystalize in Château Chenonceau, a refuge from gossip and more. Watch as the château and Christmas work their magic and break the bonds of propriety, and rejoice as Rosalind experiences the crystal-clear hints of peace, joy, and hope all around her.
The Weary World Rejoices (by Naomi Craig):
Behind the elaborate furnishings of Herod the Great’s palace, conspiracy and distrust run rampant. Mysterious visitors from the east challenge everything Amal thinks he knows as a palace scribe. Will his quest to uncover the Truth free him from the ornate shackles of palace life, or will he be the next victim of King Herod’s maniacal jealousy?
Grab a mug of something hot and delicious and curl up somewhere comfy. Your literary chariots await to take you on a journey from an early twentieth-century castle overlooking the Mississippi all the way back to the Holy Land at the time of Jesus’ birth. These six novellas, all set in castles real and fictional, celebrate the heart and joy of Christmas.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts on Keeping Christmas Volume 1
Every little girl dreams of living in a castle. Of being a princess of her own right, and having a prince come to save her. Allow this novel, which is really a collection of novellas, to take you off into your imagination and fulfil those little girl dreams.
I have to say that castles seem to be a theme in books that I’m reading right about now. I’m not mad about it. In fact, I loved every little book in this series. Some of my favorite authors showed up for this collection! That makes me so happy when they’re all together.
I think the story by Chautona Havig and Cathe Swanson was my favorite. Not because it was superior writing or anything but because of the overly loving dog and the electrician. You see, I’m married to an electrician so that makes me love it!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
About the Authors of Keeping Christmas Volume 1
Chautona Havig
USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forward Series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
Cathe Swanson
Cathe Swanson writes books with creative plots and engaging characters of all ages, to glorify God and entertain and bless readers. Her heartwarming stories will make you laugh and make you cry – and then make you laugh again.
Olivia Talbott
Olivia Talbott grew up in Montana but currently lives in Kentucky with her husband and two daughters, a few sheep and a border collie. She loves words, travelling, pickles and having deep conversations about how Jesus changes everything. Visit her at oliviatalbott.com.
Kathleen J. Robison
Kathleen J. Robison is an Okinawan-American, born in Okinawa, and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels and her family are the sources of her inspiration for her books. Kathleen and her Pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with eighteen grandchildren and counting. Her ethnically diverse background extends to her family of currently thirty-five personalities which provide many opportunities to share God’s amazing love amidst the challenges of real life.
Denise L. Barela
Denise L. Barela is a twenty-something-year-old writer with a passion for fiction, her faith, and just being creative in general. When she’s not working away at her desk, you might find her reading a good book or following Alice down the rabbit hole…
Marguerite Gray
Marguerite Gray enjoys the study of history, especially when combined with fiction. An avid traveller and reader, she teaches French and Spanish and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and a MA in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. She has two grown children and currently lives with her husband in north Louisiana. She writes historical fiction.
Naomi Craig
Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, and pastor’s wife, Naomi Craig loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church, trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes or convincing her rescue dog, Freeway, to be cute on command for Instagram reels, you’ll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory with Naomi and Lisa, an author interview show on YouTube and your podcast platform of choice.
More from Denise
Hello everyone!
I’m excited to share this set of stories with you! All the authors have worked hard to bring you some Christmas joy and magic. We’ve each picked a castle to center our stories around. I mean, Christmas and castles go well together, don’t you think? You’ll get to explore different castles in different time periods while also getting to know all the characters in each story. That’s a lot of new friends to make!
For my story, I jumped on the chance to write about a castle that inspired the castle that always brought me joy growing up (if I’m being honest, it still brings me joy). I’ve always been a huge Disney nerd, and Princess Aurora has always been my favorite Disney princess. Growing up, I was blessed to be able to visit Disneyland for most of my life, and Sleeping Beauty’s castle was my favorite thing (I was so sad when they closed the walk-through part for several years). Even without the attraction part of it, I loved walking into the park and seeing it stand at the end of Main Street. I actually teared up seeing it for the first time after Covid.
What does all this have to do with my castle story?
Well, in 1869, King Ludwig II of Bavaria began construction on Neuschwanstein Castle. This castle served as the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Let me tell you if you thought Disneyland’s castle was beautiful, it’s got nothing on Neuschwanstein. If I were to pick a castle to live in, it’d be this one.
Setting aside the Disney connection, I was even more intrigued when I learned more about the king who commissioned it. The king was not very popular towards the end of his reign, and the day after he was sent to Berg Castle, he and a doctor were found dead in Lake Starnberg.
The weird part?
They ruled it a drowning, but there was no water in their lungs and clear signs of foul play.
Oh, but that’s not the only interesting fact this castle houses. This castle became a hiding place for some of the art the Nazis stole during World War II. Part of me wonders if any pieces are still hidden there. The Monuments Men group actually catalogued art found there, and it’s been preserved. Here’s a fun article from The Met all about it!
I hope you enjoyed learning about the castle that inspired my story!
Blog Stops for Keeping Christmas Volume 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 20
Through the Lens of Scripture, October 20
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 21
Texas Book-aholic, October 22
For Him and My Family, October 22
deb’s Book Review, October 23
Inklings and notions, October 24
Holly’s Book Corner, October 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 25
Lots of Helpers, October 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 26
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 27
By the Book, October 28
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 28
She Lives To Read, October 29
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 30
Mary Hake, October 30
Blogging With Carol, October 31
Simple Harvest Reads, November 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Literature Approved, November 1
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 2
Giveaway for Keeping Christmas Volume 1
To celebrate their tour, the Celebrate Lit Authors are giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift 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/2224d/keeping-christmas-volume-one-by-celebration-tour-giveaway
Eva Millien
Keeping Christmas sounds like a holiday collection that I will enjoy and I like the cover, thanks for sharing it with me!
Thanks, For Him and My Family, for sharing your thoughts!
Have an awesome weekend!
Erin S.
It’s an amazing collection with lots of wonderful stories to read and entertain you once the snow starts flying.
Emma
My favorite story in this collection, although I did love that dog and electrician, was the last one!
Erin S.
They were all so wonderful it was hard to choose just one.
Bea LaRocca
Thank you for sharing your review of Keeping Christmas Volume 1, this sounds like a wonderful collection of holiday stories and I am looking forward to reading them all
Erin S.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Debbie P
This sounds like a great set.
Erin S.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Naomi Craig
Thanks for hosting Keeping Christmas<3
Naomi C
Erin S.
Thank you for visiting my blog today!
Marguerite Gray
Thank you for reviewing Keeping Christmas Vol. 1! It was such a thrill to work with these authors.
Erin S.
It’s such a great compilation of some of my favorites!