Another Homewood Christmas

by Courtenay Burden, Chelsea Burden, Erika Mathews

Come back home to a small-town Christmas through the ages... From its founding to the present day, Homewood, Minnesota’s open arms always offer a shining Moravian star and a Christmas to remember. Journey with the first family to settle in Homewood as they embark from the East. Stick around when troubles threaten to turn Homewood into another ghost town. Follow a song of hope and an old violin in the aftermath of war. Sit with a hurting couple in need of a Christmas miracle to complete their family. Stay close to a young woman as she struggles to find hope in the midst of rejection. Witness an aunt learning how much family truly means. Visit with a new neighbor who isn’t sure what she is looking for.

Throughout these seven heartwarming stories, watch Christmas light and love transform even the coldest places into a little corner of heaven on earth. No matter what the season may hold, the love of God sent to earth in the form of a human baby always proves abundantly sufficient—and the Christmas stars of Homewood live to testify of His story!

Genres: Christmas

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2023

About the author

Courtenay Burden is a Victorian fanatic and author of historical fiction. She loves working with yarn, playing the occasional game of chess, devouring history, and discovering new ways to cook the humble potato. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her sketching, reading anything published more than a century ago, or attempting to sing alto with growing confidence. You can connect with her at www.sawpublishing.com or on Instagram @courtenayburden.

Reviews

[Sophia E. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of To Follow the Star by Courtenay Burden

I was excited to see from the first page that this story was another look at the Quincey family from this author's story in A Homewood Christmas! Seeing how the town was founded gave me a better understanding of the dynamics of it and helped me to imagine it better. And these Quincey girls! Getting this look at them while they were younger was pretty fun; they are the same, just younger!

The writing style was beautiful, and it had a way of calming you down and making you think, something my favorite Christmas stories do.

The theme was simple, but it was something that I'd never thought much about. Without giving it away, it gave me a new thought to think on about the wise men that I believe I had overlooked too. It was refreshing to see these characters live out trusting God to lead them, even when that was difficult.

Overall, it was both a fun and relaxing short read that left me encouraged in my own walk with the Lord and that reminded me of the true reason for and beauty of Christmas. I'm looking forward to Lord willing reading the rest of the stories in this collection soon!

Note: I received a free copy of this one story in this collection in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note that the following review is for only one story of the whole collection. I hope to read this whole compilation of Christmas stories soon and will at that time update my review. The following review is for Advent for the Orphan by Bethany M. Griggs.

I really liked this story. This was my first story by Bethany M. Griggs and I hope it won’t be my last. This whole story had me wanting to drink a hot cup of cocoa by the fire…even though it’s only October. (Though it has been quite chilly the past few days.)

What I Liked: The Wilson family is just the sweetest. I loved the little Wilson boys and their love and care for Robin, and I felt for Len as she dealt with the anxiety over the future with the approaching adoption of the sweet girl. The message of us entering a new family once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior was a sweet one, along with the message of caring for those in need and God’s heart for the orphan and widow. I truly got a lovely view of Homewood through this lovely story and could picture it very well with the descriptions given. It definitely makes me want to pick up a copy of this whole collection and give it a read once it officially releases.

What I Didn’t Like: There wasn’t anything that I disliked about this story. It was just lovely.

I give this book 5/5 stars for a sweet Christmas story–and I totally agree with the Wilson family, I think Christmas Eve is extra special with all of the anticipation for the actual day of Christmas.

(For the record, I was given a free copy of Advent for the Orphan for my honest review. All of the thoughts expressed therein are completely my own and I was not influenced to leave a positive review whatsoever.)

[Rhys-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for "Friendship's Gift" by Hannah Foster:

This was such a sweet Christmas novella! Perry was an intriguing and relatable character. I enjoyed the mystery about Perry's aunt and especially liked the part about the legacy. This was a very Christmassy story that would be perfect for reading on a cold winter night with a cup of peppermint hot chocolate. I also enjoyed the contemporary setting. I definitely intend to read A Homewood Christmas this winter, and I hope to read the rest of the stories in Another Homewood Christmas as well.

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince of peace

This was such a heartwarming story about forgiveness, family, the power of prayer and the joy of family coming together around the holiday season. Beautifully written with loveable characters and a beautiful little town that it’s as if your there alongside the characters. A beautiful Christmas story about trusting in Jesus and giving Him your fears.
I really enjoyed reading this story and can’t wait to read the rest of these.

[Faith Gilliosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for "Simple Gifts" by Olivia Godfrey

I really enjoyed this story! Had me grinning for a moment off and on from the start, and had a warm and cozy, but real feeling to it. I really empathized with the characters, and they seemed like ordinary people with ordinary struggles, that were realistically written in a shorter, sweet story that really drew you in from the beginning. A sentence once or twice felt a little choppier prose-wise or threw me off, but it could have just been that I was reading it late at night. Otherwise the writing seemed to flow very well and fit with the style quite nicely. I appreciate how the story resolved and really felt glad for the characters and the healing they seemed to be finding.

It also felt very Christmassy in a...non-commercial over the top way that really reminded me of Christmases with my relatives and all the good memories of baking and hanging out with people like that at home, and less of all the trappings and stereotypical things, which I really enjoyed. ❤️

Recommend it even if you don't particularly like Christmas stories, as it was a good story on its own, but if you really enjoy the Christmas season you will probably enjoy it even more.

(I received a review copy of the story from the author but was not obligated to leave a positive review.)

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review is for To Follow the Star by Courtenay Burden:

The collection is billed as Christmas stories, and there's no more apt description for this short story by Courtenay Burden! Complete with a cold wintry setting, the story is theme-heavy: the carol The First Noel, the star (a Moravian star in particular), and of course the parallels straight from scripture are all strong threads throughout the story.

There is little action to be had, at least on-page. Much of the conflict, tension, and struggles occur as reflections by Stella, and her thoughts about them. The hopeless point and climax, however, do happen as written, but the writing style lends to a more "inside" look—that is, inside Stella's thoughts.

The story establishes the setting of Homewood as it first began, in 1831, and I love the premise, although few specifics of the time period grace the narrative. Still, there are no obvious historical inaccuracies.

I do remember some of the characters, particularly William, from Courtenay's story in A Homewood Christmas, which is quite pleasing. Again, there is a whole gaggle of sisters, and it can be hard to keep track of them, but they all have their simple, distinct character trait. Perfect style for a short story.

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading each of the stories, they were so heartwarming. I also loved how the Moravian star was mentioned in each of the stories too. I loved the disability representation in Simple Gifts with the Aunt in a wheelchair. Each story is unique but each paints a beautiful picture of a loving community in Homewood with Christmas memories each of the families treasure.

Some stories were sadder than others but all showed Gods love throughout them all and that the characters who had experienced hard times weren’t forgotten by God or the community.

A beautiful Christmas read and second Homewood Christmas book.

[Anna Elizabeth-Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another Homewood Christmas collection
The Christmas Violin by Erika Matthews: 5 out of 5 stars

This was such a cute, Christmas-y, heartwarming story!! I enjoyed every page of it. I could almost hear the violin music playing as I read.
Peggy was just the cutest little thing (and I mean the cutest!), Charity and Faith were just so sweet. I loved their relationship so much. I also loved the themes and the constant reminder throughout the book that "Emmanuel is with us". It's so true- He IS! This was such a great, quick read, and I recommend it for those who enjoy sweet Christmas novellas.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading all the Homewood stories in order, so I can watch the town grow and the characters become older.

To Follow the Star - Courtenay Burden
1831
A lovely, touching story of the first settlers in Homewood, the Quinceys. It was fun to see the different personalities of the sisters. The writing style fit the era so well that one could easily believe it was written a long time ago instead of in 2023.

The Star Over All - Chelsea Burden
1875
This was a lovely story. A good reminder that God knows and uses even our mistakes for His glory. I liked seeing this time of Homewood’s history and how it set the stage, so to speak, for later stories.

The Christmas Violin - Erika Mathews
1919
A lovely story set in Homewood during the First World War. It does jump from summer of one year to the Christmas of another, but it was was good and the ending was so lovely and made me smile. Good reminder to trust God with everything.

Advent for the Orphan - Bethany M. Griggs
1976
This was a sweet story. I enjoyed seeing Len all grown up with a home and family of her own. And the three boys were darling brothers to Robin! The ending was so special and lovely!

The Prince of Peace - Rebekah A. Morris
1993
I enjoyed these characters once again and loved seeing Tricia learn that peace isn’t a matter of circumstances, but of the heart resting in Emmanuel.

Simple Gifts - Olivia Godfrey
2002
A lovely story about family and home and love and simple delights. It was fun to see what happened to familiar characters years later and the ending made me smile.

Friendship's Gift - Hannah Foster
2014
This story made me smile. Not only do I get to enjoy the Haywood family again, especially Jonathan in this story, but I just wanted to hug Perry! So much love and hope and friendship in this sweet Christmas story. Not to mention old friends from other stories.

A delightful collection of Christmas stories all set in the charming little town of Homewood, MN.

[H.S. Kylian]

3 stars - Advent For The Orphan

This was a sweet story, if a little predictable. I did find the thread about the aunt a lil disappointing; perhaps it could've had more build-up.

Anyway, eventually I'll read the rest of the collection, hence why I'm not rating it as a whole.

[Hannah E. Griggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of the story Friendship's Gift by Hannah Foster in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed getting to revisit old friends from Hannah Foster’s story in A Homewood Christmas as well as getting to meet Perry. This story had a really good lesson, and I enjoyed the thread of mystery in it.

I couldn’t help being amused by Perry’s ways of revealing nothing about herself and the mentions of her sweeping and dusting. (If you know, you know. ;))

Jonathan was a good friend to Perry, and it was great seeing all the Haywoods again, especially Jazzy. I enjoyed getting to see a little more of her story continued from the first one.

There is a very slight amount of romance in this story.

Now I can't wait to read the rest of the book!

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Follow the Star by Courtenay Burden
5+ stars (6/10 hearts). I was not expecting this, but did I ever love it! This novella takes place over a short period of time, instead of several days as most of these stories do. It’s 1831, so quite early, and about the very founding of Homewood—yay! I adored seeing the first Quinceys (and the aunts, uncle, and parents from The Star of Bethlehem, but as young people!). I’m loving going back in time and piecing the history of this town together. It feels so real!

Anyways, back to the characters, of course they were amazing, and I fell in love with them all over again—Susanna, Margaret, William, Blanche, Clara Jane, Great-Aunt… and then Stella & Alistair… <3 And the story itself is so sweet and gentle and wintry, and the MESSAGE! Oh my heart, it’s perfectly amazing. “The wise men had resolved to follow Christ’s star, wherever it went.” I can’t explain how good it is—just read it.

P.S. I love the chapter titles. :)

A Favourite Quote: The wise men lost the star, but they did not lose hope. They believed in the calling by which they had been led, even when its light no longer beamed on their way. In trusting, hopeful obedience, they refused to give up. And then—then:
“Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”

The Star Over All by Chelsea Burden
5+ stars (6/10 hearts). Oh my word I loved this SO much. Chelsea Burden has such a lovely writing style (so similar to mine!!) and I love how much her story centered on her message, yet still delivered interesting characters and a hooking plot, all well-paced and smoothly wrapped up against all odds.

It was such fun seeing the characters from last year’s The Star of Bethlehem , but older! And Grant was fantastic. I would absolutely love to see a sequel to this ;)

The message was the highlight though. I kept tearing up. Over and over the author gently reminds us how no matter what happens, Christ is sovereign. No matter how much we mess up, it never ruins things forever. No matter how dark things are, it’s always turned to good. I needed that message just now…

It’s a quick, easy, deep read and I highly recommend this to everyone. I can’t wait to read the rest of the stories in this collection!

A Favourite Quote: “However dark life gets, there is a Star that will rise over all.”

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

[Erika Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cozy, sweet, heartwarming collection! Return to Homewood with old friends from the first collection and meet new friends in this one. Find out what happens next - or what happened before - your favorite scenes from the first book. Or just dive right in to this book! I so enjoyed every story--the characters, lessons, themes, and so much more.

(Yes, I have a story in this collection, but my review is based on the other six stories, not my own!)