Hi Friends, I’m excited to share the beautiful new cover for A Very English Christmas. The eBook is up for preorder on Amazon. It will also be available in print and audio when it releases October 7, 2025.
Three beloved literary legends, three historical love stories, and one modern woman’s search for hope converge in a charming English antique shop for a Christmas she’ll never forget.
Here’s the story behind the story. I’m part of the Inspirational UK & Ireland – Books, Readers, and More group on Facebook. That’s where I first connected with fellow authors, Carole Lehr Johnson and Marguerite Gray.
Last year Carole and Maggie contacted me and asked if I’d like to join them in a novella project. We brainstormed some ideas, and decided to each write a Christmas novella set in a different era in England’s history, and each of us would include a famous British author as a secondary character. I would also write a contemporary wraparound story that would open the book and have scenes between each novella with the heroine reflecting on the themes of the stories. This idea came from watching the movie Princess Bride where the grandfather tells his grandson the historical story. It gives the book a time-slip feeling.
With that basic idea in mind, Carole wrote A Portrait of Faith, the Regency era story including Jane Austen, I wrote A Victorian Christmas Tale that includes Charles Dickens, and Maggie wrote The Tale of the Season set in the Edwardian era with Beatrix Potter.
We shared chapters and critiqued for each other during the writing process. They gave great input! Then I wrote the wraparound story, combined the manuscript, formatted the book, created the cover, and loaded it to Amazon for publishing. We will work together to promote the book and spread the word the word to readers. And we’d love to have your help! We’re looking for a few readers who are active reviewers. Please read on to learn more.
My last novel, A Token of Love, was set in 1854, and I loved writing another story in Victorian London. This novella is set in October – December, 1843, during the time when Charles Dickens is writing A Christmas Carol. The hero, John Stafford, is a fictional best friend to Charles Dickens who helps him in the writing and publishing of that book. It was fun to learn more about Charles Dickens and the impact of his stories, especially A Christmas Carol.
Celebrate the Season with Three Timeless Tales Inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter.
When Emma Grace Langley retreats to her grandmother’s antique shop in the snowy Cotswolds after heartbreak and job loss, she hopes to find clarity. Instead, she finds a collection of heirlooms—a portrait, a rare book, and a charming figurine—that unlock stories from the past. As each tale unfolds, Emma is drawn into the lives of three remarkable women whose lives were touched by England’s greatest storytellers.
In A Portrait of Faith, devoted daughter, Violet Walford, longs for a life beyond duty to her family. When she is asked to paint a portrait of lively Regency-era author Jane Austen, their unexpected friendship inspires Violet to pursue life and love with new courage.
In A Victorian Christmas Tale, Clara Reynolds struggles against physical challenges and family expectations while falling in love with John, a writer with ties to Charles Dickens. Their work at the London Foundling Hospital brings healing, hope, and a Christmas transformation that would make Scrooge proud.
And in A Tale of the Season, Edwardian heiress Arabella Graham escapes to the Lake District and meets a charming country veterinarian—as well as artist and children’s author Beatrix Potter. With gentle wisdom and the peace of a country Christmas, Arabella discovers the joy of finding her own path.
Blending romance, inspiration, and literary nostalgia, A Very English Christmas is the perfect holiday escape for fans of historical fiction and classic English authors.
If you’d like to read an early ebook copy of A Very English Christmas and help us spread the word about this book, please leave a comment. We’ll be giving away 5 copies to active reviewers!
Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading
Carrie
Oh man does this sound good! I will need to pre-order this for my church’s kibrary but I’d love to read it now.
This sounds like a wonderful collection of stories! I would love to read an early copy if it’s possible, and to help spread the word.
Would love to read an advance copy. Carrie Turansky never disappoints!
I would love to read this fabulous book. I would help spread the word.
I would love to read and review this new book. I have a blog and I also am active on FB, X, IG, & Pinterest. I appreciate your thoughtful consideration.
https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot.com
I would be interested in reviewing.
I’m definitely interested in reviewing and helping promote. You three are some of my favorite authors. I love that you are writing a book together.
I would love to read books if books are in print only review print books
I can hardly wait! It sounds fantastic and will be a perfect winter read.
Sounds like a wonderful collaboration! Would love to read it and help promote it.
I would love to read, review, and promote this book. Sounds like a wonderful read.
These sound like great stories. I would love read, review and promote this book. I have been on several launch groups for books. I am active on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks for your consideration.
I would love to review it! It comes out the week of my birthday, so I think it will be the perfect gift to request!
I would love to read, review and promote this book. It looks awesome.
I have read other books like this before and absolutely loved them! (I didn’t think that I would). You have many offered for early read and reviewers, but if you need another, I’m all in!
I would love to read, review, and promote this book. Sounds like a wonderful book. I am active on Facebook. Thanks for your consideration.
I love reading and promoting your books. This one looks lovely. Can’t wait to read it.
I would love to help spread the word about the new book.
It sounds like a wonderful book! I’d like to read an early copy!
This sounds like a good collection! Thanks for sharing about it.
That sounds incredibly good! I review everything I read unless it’s dated or out of print. I have no problem reading reviewing and promoting for you. I love your novels and would also be happy that I would be introduced to two other authors that I’m not familiar with.
Wow! What a wonderful project. I’d love to read and review.