I come from a very musical family, which means that Christmas always began in September for us. Even now, when I am no longer quite as active in music, I still participate in performance arts that have me thinking of Christmas even before the leaves on the trees have begun to change. Therefore, it’s no hardship for me to indulge in Christmas reading months before the season is upon us!
And when I saw this collection of Christmas novellas with a contemporary twist on princesses (some of our most loved Disney princesses), I was in.
Celebrate Lit: Once Upon a Christmas & Giveaway
About the Once Upon A Christmas
Book: Once Upon A Christmas
Author: Andrea Boyd, Mikal Dawn, Toni Shiloh, Angela Ruth Strong, Jaycee Weaver
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Embrace the magic of the Christmas season with these contemporary twists on timeless tales.
Upon a Dream — A rare sleeping disorder keeps Talia from performing, but when Philip recognizes her gift, he’ll do whatever it takes to see her onstage.
Claim My Heart — Li Na and Colin Wen face off in a Mulan-esque courtroom battle where the real win might be losing their hearts.
A Snow White Christmas — Sheltered heiress Amala White flees her conniving stepmother’s plans and finds refuge with a handsome orchard owner and his seven quirky uncles.
Christmas Ella — Reality TV meets Cinderella story when a location director is swept off her feet by a rising star.
A Splash of Love — Las Vegas glitz meets Land of Enchantment culture in A Splash of Love, a modern twist on the Little Mermaid.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Authors
Andrea Boyd, Author
Each of Andrea Boyd’s series represents a different genre but all fall into the category of romance. All offer an element of her own brand of humor. And all are a tribute to God. Besides writing, she loves spending time with her family, quilting, going to car shows, and driving around in her 1968 Barracuda convertible. Andrea lives with her husband, Tommy, and at least a couple of cats in York County, SC. Visit her at www.andreaboyd11.com.
Mikal Dawn, Author
Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast, and military (retired) wife. When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand!) for wedding ideas for her characters.
Mikal lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two of their three children. Visit her at www.mikaldawn.com.
Toni Shiloh, Author
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness. Visit her at www.tonishiloh.com.
Angela Ruth Strong, Author
Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been optioned for film, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon bestsellers. She also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she teaches as an expert online at WRITE THAT BOOK. Visit her at www.angelaruthstrong.com.
Jaycee Weaver, Author 
Jaycee Weaver is a wife, mother, and substitute teacher living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jaycee writes contemporary Christian romance with lifelike characters in everyday situations who always get their happy ending. Visit her at www.jayceeweaver.com.
More from the Authors
Dear Readers,
Thank you for stopping by the Celebrate Lit blog tour of Once Upon a Christmas. We are so excited to bring you this Christmas collection. All of us had a lot of fun writing it as we delved into the fairy tales of Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Snow White, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid.
What we discovered when writing is that in the heart of every girl is the desire to be a princess. Now, I’m not talking about dressing up in a beautiful gown and wearing a crown while twirling around (although I, Toni, admit I would do that in a heartbeat). No, we discovered that in the heart of every girl (sister, mom, daughter, etc) is the desire to be loved and accepted.
Can Talia find someone who can accept all of her, including her health issues? Can Amala find someone who will love her for her and not her money? Can Li find acceptance for who she truly is and not the façade she presents? Will Ella find a familial kind of love? And Gabrielle, can she find a love so powerful that all her dreams will come true?
As the heroines of our stories journey down their path to love and acceptance, they all come to realize a deep-seated truth. They are loved. They are princesses. They have a love of a King who laid down His life for theirs. A King who is preparing a home for them. A King who sees who they truly are and loves them without hesitation.
As you read these stories, we pray they touch your heart. We pray they entertain you and maybe even make you laugh a time or two. And lastly, we pray the Christmas truths bless you this holiday season.
Blessings,
Andrea, Mikal, Toni, Angela, and Jaycee
Cordially Barbara’s Review
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Once Upon a Christmas is a box of Godiva chocolates. No matter what you choose, you’ll find something delightfully sweet. Savor a piece at a time or eat them all, it’ll be delicious no matter what.
(copy received. opinions my own)
Five authors join forces to bring together 5 Christmas-centered romantic novellas that highlight the fairytales of Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Snow White, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid. While each story is set in today’s world, the comparisons between the heroine and her corresponding princess are undeniable. Each heroine must overcome and dig deep to reveal her true character, save the day, and win the man of her dreams.
As a little girl, I loved princesses just as much as any other, and as a grown woman, I still can get swept away by the story of princesses. I so enjoyed the parallels between the fairytale princesses and these fictional stories. The authors kept things fresh (I particularly loved Christmas Ella) and didn’t get too heavy-handed with cliches (okay, but the Little Mermaid retelling had me rolling my eyes a few times because it was just a littttle too much with some of the turns of phrase).
If you enjoy romance and princesses and strong women (and Christmas), Once Upon a Christmas is for you!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 2
Back Porch Reads, October 2
Activating Faith, October 2
A Baker’s Perspective, October 3
Genesis 5020, October 3
Among the Reads, October 4
Just Your Average reviews, October 4
Through the Fire Blogs, October 5
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 5
Quiet Quilter, October 6
Blogging With Carol, October 6
Stories By Gina, October 7
Batya’s Bits, October 7
Cordially Barbara, October 7
Melissa Henderson, October 8
Connect In Fiction, October 8
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 9
A Diva’s Heart, October 9
A Reader’s Brain, October 10
Maureen’s Musings, October 10
Hebrews 12 Endurance, October 10
Remembrancy, October 11
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 11
For Him and My Family, October 12
She Lives to Read, October 12
Inklings and notions, October 13
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, October 13
Blossoms and Blessings, October 13
Simple Harvest Reads, October 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14
Texas Book-aholic, October 15
janicesbookreviews, October 15
Giveaway
To celebrate their tour, the Once Upon a Christmas authors are giving away the grand prize of a Kindle Fire!!
Thank you so, so much for your review and for participating in this blog tour!!! We really appreciate it, and are so happy to have been a part of your early Christmas spirit. 😉
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Woohoo! Godiva box of chocolates!