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A Festival of Carols #6
God Rest Ye Merry
2024. Sean Montgomery, a disillusioned pastor and former Army chaplain who left the military to escape the ghosts of the past, must contend with his lost faith when a soldier he once counseled takes his life. With Christmas only weeks away, he prays for guidance and a renewal of his beliefs. And when that prayer is answered, it comes from the most unlikely place he could imagine—in the home of the soldier who took his life, and in the company of a college lecturer on Charles Dickens named Meg Calhoun, who is determined to help him heal. Christmas is a time for new beginnings and romance, especially when two people find themselves on a collision course toward love.
1843. Merry Chapman is a young widow and crusader for the poor, especially the unfortunate children on the streets of London. And, she is a ghost. Or so people call her, and those desperate souls she aids and shelters. But her life isn’t what others may believe, for Merry has a story few would ever guess, and she has lost more than most have ever experienced. And she has a secret, a gift known only to those with whom she chooses to share it. People such as beloved writer Charles Dickens. Their secret friendship will become the inspiration for his soon-to-be classic story, A Christmas Carol, as will her place within its beloved pages as the Ghost of Christmas Past.
A dual timeline story about love and friendship, and the power of letting go, especially when clinging to the past blinds you to what is possible in the future.
1843. Merry Chapman is a young widow and crusader for the poor, especially the unfortunate children on the streets of London. And, she is a ghost. Or so people call her, and those desperate souls she aids and shelters. But her life isn’t what others may believe, for Merry has a story few would ever guess, and she has lost more than most have ever experienced. And she has a secret, a gift known only to those with whom she chooses to share it. People such as beloved writer Charles Dickens. Their secret friendship will become the inspiration for his soon-to-be classic story, A Christmas Carol, as will her place within its beloved pages as the Ghost of Christmas Past.
A dual timeline story about love and friendship, and the power of letting go, especially when clinging to the past blinds you to what is possible in the future.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
15 people want to read
About the author
Scott R. Rezer
21 books80 followersScott R. Rezer lives in the Desert Southwest and is a multi-genre indie published author. He describes his books as character-driven stories that bring history to life. Recently, he has ventured into the Contemporary/Historical Romance genre and is having a blast creating dual timeline stories with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing, wondering how the stories will end.
Two of his books have garnered Editor's Choice selections by the Historical Novel Society, and were long-listed for the HNS Indie Award (The Leper King and Shadow of the Mountain).
Retired now after a career in federal service, he spends his days writing and reading and enjoying the great outdoors with his wife or taking a nap. He loves naps. It’s when he does his best writing!
Two of his books have garnered Editor's Choice selections by the Historical Novel Society, and were long-listed for the HNS Indie Award (The Leper King and Shadow of the Mountain).
Retired now after a career in federal service, he spends his days writing and reading and enjoying the great outdoors with his wife or taking a nap. He loves naps. It’s when he does his best writing!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 18, 2025
Witness the man behind A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens as you have never seen him before. Charles' latest book was flopping and he needed to write something quick and something that people in London could relate to. A mysterious woman named Merry Chapman, who he watched helping children get off the streets and out of poverty, become the inspiration he needed for Carol.
Meet Sean Montgomery. A former Army Chaplain and current pastor at a church hears of a soldier he had ministered to when he was in the Army that decided to take his own life. This puts Sean is such distress, that he asks to take a sabbatical to think things over.
While visiting the soldier's parents, he meets an English guest lecturer, Meg, who is staying with them. They invite him to also stay with them while he sorts things out. Meg and Sean hit it off right away and there is a spark between them. Meg has a big secret that she keeping from him. Will she be able to have the courage to tell him and what other things from both of their pasts will come to light?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a fan of Dickens, it was cool to see in a fictional sense how he came about writing Carol and also the time shenanigans involved in this story. Mr. Rezer really outdid himself this time. There were so many twists and turns and some that I didn't even see coming. If you are a fan of Dickens' Carol and also romance novels and some time traveling, than this is the book for you. The author gave me an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
Meet Sean Montgomery. A former Army Chaplain and current pastor at a church hears of a soldier he had ministered to when he was in the Army that decided to take his own life. This puts Sean is such distress, that he asks to take a sabbatical to think things over.
While visiting the soldier's parents, he meets an English guest lecturer, Meg, who is staying with them. They invite him to also stay with them while he sorts things out. Meg and Sean hit it off right away and there is a spark between them. Meg has a big secret that she keeping from him. Will she be able to have the courage to tell him and what other things from both of their pasts will come to light?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a fan of Dickens, it was cool to see in a fictional sense how he came about writing Carol and also the time shenanigans involved in this story. Mr. Rezer really outdid himself this time. There were so many twists and turns and some that I didn't even see coming. If you are a fan of Dickens' Carol and also romance novels and some time traveling, than this is the book for you. The author gave me an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2026
A Captivating and Delightful Read!!
When I finished this story I had all the feels of warmth, love, hope, and faith... I did not want to put this warm and uplifting book down. The characters were very relatable and intertwined with such a well-known Christmas novel that we have come to know and love. This book now goes hand in hand with A Christmas Carol. I'll forever think of the Charles Dickens story when God Rest Ye Merry is mentioned. I absolutely loved this book! The Author did such a great job with each of the characters.... You feel as if you have always known them. You pull for them as they maneuver through their life struggles in hopes that everything will end well.
This book is #6 in a series, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone. I definitely recommend it to all who love a great Christmas read with all the feels!
All opinions in this review are my own.
When I finished this story I had all the feels of warmth, love, hope, and faith... I did not want to put this warm and uplifting book down. The characters were very relatable and intertwined with such a well-known Christmas novel that we have come to know and love. This book now goes hand in hand with A Christmas Carol. I'll forever think of the Charles Dickens story when God Rest Ye Merry is mentioned. I absolutely loved this book! The Author did such a great job with each of the characters.... You feel as if you have always known them. You pull for them as they maneuver through their life struggles in hopes that everything will end well.
This book is #6 in a series, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone. I definitely recommend it to all who love a great Christmas read with all the feels!
All opinions in this review are my own.
December 5, 2025
God Rest Ye Merry by Scott R Rezer is an absolutely charming dual timeline Christmas Christian novel that I loved. I never wanted it to end. It is the sixth book in A Festival Of Carols series but can be read as a stand-alone. I know that whenever I pick up a festive novel by the author, I am going to be delighted and experience a wonderful read.
The action is set in modern-day America and in Dicken’s Victorian London. The link between the two periods is Meg, who is passionate about all things to do with Charles Dickens.
In modern-day America we also meet Pastor Sean who is having a crisis of faith. “I need You [God]… I’m not even sure how or what to pray. I feel so lost.” In his lostness, Sam still recognises his need for a Saviour but says “there was nothing worse than a pastor who had forgotten how to connect with God.” Sean decides on a short sabbatical in order to sort himself out.
We see that guilt weighs heavy. It was a burden that Sean was never meant to carry for he had done nothing wrong but, in his grief, he misremembered events.
In Dickens’ London we see the plight of the poor. They were the subject of many of his stories as he wanted to raise awareness. There were a few philanthropists who believed, “these wee ones shouldn’t suffer on account of their births or low class.”
Children were the innocent victims in their poverty. Both Dickens, and a young woman called Merrie, tried to make a difference. “She kept all their names… in a small book.” Merrie wanted to remember all those she helped. She did not want a single child to go unseen. “You are not a nobody… You are someone.” This reminds the reader that God knows us all individually and has our names written on the palm of His hands.
Faith can move mountains. We must believe that God is good even when circumstances are bad.
“They wore their faith on their sleeve for all to see.” We are called to not only hear the Word but to be doers of the Word. We should live out our faith every day.
Prayer is important. “It’s not about aligning God’s will to our prayers… He is in control. Our peace… comes through prayer.” We see that “the power of prayer was the natural enemy of anger and doubt.” Prayer and faith can give us a peace despite the world raging around us.
We can connect with God wherever we are. “Her faith was bound to God, not a building.” Wherever we go, God goes with us.
Each one of us receives a unique gift from God. “A gift to hep others…they’re lost… I do as God leads me.” Merrie has a heart and life in tune with God.
Life can knock the stuffing out of us. In present day America we see the importance of a shelter for the homeless and for veterans. “This place is more than a shelter… It’s a war zone with victories and losses, and an enemy that refuses to quit. Substance abuse, mental health, PTSD, poverty… But God makes the difference. He offers hope and faith.”
In Dickens’ London we see how he came to write A Christmas Carol. Scott R Rezer has perfectly captured the atmosphere and words of the original story within his tale. We recognise where Dickens got his inspiration from for some of his characters.
This is a unique tale as it is a story within a story. A Christmas Carol is so well known that the whole book has a very homely and familiar feel to it.
God Rest Ye Merry is beautifully written. It is a heartfelt tale. I am sorry that it has ended.
I will leave you with a powerful quote: “He needed to let go of the past if he wanted to have a future.”
The action is set in modern-day America and in Dicken’s Victorian London. The link between the two periods is Meg, who is passionate about all things to do with Charles Dickens.
In modern-day America we also meet Pastor Sean who is having a crisis of faith. “I need You [God]… I’m not even sure how or what to pray. I feel so lost.” In his lostness, Sam still recognises his need for a Saviour but says “there was nothing worse than a pastor who had forgotten how to connect with God.” Sean decides on a short sabbatical in order to sort himself out.
We see that guilt weighs heavy. It was a burden that Sean was never meant to carry for he had done nothing wrong but, in his grief, he misremembered events.
In Dickens’ London we see the plight of the poor. They were the subject of many of his stories as he wanted to raise awareness. There were a few philanthropists who believed, “these wee ones shouldn’t suffer on account of their births or low class.”
Children were the innocent victims in their poverty. Both Dickens, and a young woman called Merrie, tried to make a difference. “She kept all their names… in a small book.” Merrie wanted to remember all those she helped. She did not want a single child to go unseen. “You are not a nobody… You are someone.” This reminds the reader that God knows us all individually and has our names written on the palm of His hands.
Faith can move mountains. We must believe that God is good even when circumstances are bad.
“They wore their faith on their sleeve for all to see.” We are called to not only hear the Word but to be doers of the Word. We should live out our faith every day.
Prayer is important. “It’s not about aligning God’s will to our prayers… He is in control. Our peace… comes through prayer.” We see that “the power of prayer was the natural enemy of anger and doubt.” Prayer and faith can give us a peace despite the world raging around us.
We can connect with God wherever we are. “Her faith was bound to God, not a building.” Wherever we go, God goes with us.
Each one of us receives a unique gift from God. “A gift to hep others…they’re lost… I do as God leads me.” Merrie has a heart and life in tune with God.
Life can knock the stuffing out of us. In present day America we see the importance of a shelter for the homeless and for veterans. “This place is more than a shelter… It’s a war zone with victories and losses, and an enemy that refuses to quit. Substance abuse, mental health, PTSD, poverty… But God makes the difference. He offers hope and faith.”
In Dickens’ London we see how he came to write A Christmas Carol. Scott R Rezer has perfectly captured the atmosphere and words of the original story within his tale. We recognise where Dickens got his inspiration from for some of his characters.
This is a unique tale as it is a story within a story. A Christmas Carol is so well known that the whole book has a very homely and familiar feel to it.
God Rest Ye Merry is beautifully written. It is a heartfelt tale. I am sorry that it has ended.
I will leave you with a powerful quote: “He needed to let go of the past if he wanted to have a future.”
September 7, 2025
A captivating and clever use of a well-known, beloved Dickens tale entwined in a time travel story
This is the story of Sean Montgomery, a former Army chaplain who felt the failure of praying for soldiers who didn’t always have a happy outcome from their army experience. The author gives us a picture of Sean by telling us about how some of the ghosts of his past have blinded him to any hopes of a promising future. Through meeting with a family whose son didn’t make it home and their “boarder”, Meg Calhoun, who was from London but in the United States as a guest college lecturer on Charles Dickens, you get to know the intimate, sometimes messy details of Sean’s life.
The time travel genre is obvious from the beginning when the story setting starts in 19th-century London with the introduction of a philanthropic widow named Merry Chapman (aka Meg Calhoun). Her love and devotion to the poor and hungry, barely surviving in the streets of London, lead us to the beginning of a beautifully woven tale of altruism, subtle romance, and human connection.
The author did an amazing job of weaving a narrative about the creation of Dickens’ famous "A Christmas Carol" into this story. You actually feel like you know Dickens (Boz) by the end of the story, and it can be quite emotional.
This is a must-read for those who love time-travel, Dickens, Christmas, or just great writing!
This is the story of Sean Montgomery, a former Army chaplain who felt the failure of praying for soldiers who didn’t always have a happy outcome from their army experience. The author gives us a picture of Sean by telling us about how some of the ghosts of his past have blinded him to any hopes of a promising future. Through meeting with a family whose son didn’t make it home and their “boarder”, Meg Calhoun, who was from London but in the United States as a guest college lecturer on Charles Dickens, you get to know the intimate, sometimes messy details of Sean’s life.
The time travel genre is obvious from the beginning when the story setting starts in 19th-century London with the introduction of a philanthropic widow named Merry Chapman (aka Meg Calhoun). Her love and devotion to the poor and hungry, barely surviving in the streets of London, lead us to the beginning of a beautifully woven tale of altruism, subtle romance, and human connection.
The author did an amazing job of weaving a narrative about the creation of Dickens’ famous "A Christmas Carol" into this story. You actually feel like you know Dickens (Boz) by the end of the story, and it can be quite emotional.
This is a must-read for those who love time-travel, Dickens, Christmas, or just great writing!
December 1, 2025
Enjoyable story. Time Travel. Romance. I liked the twist at the end.
November 1, 2025
Review of God Rest Ye Merry by Scott Rezer
This is a story that touches the heart of anyone who has second-guessed their calling. In the current time, Pastor Sean takes a leave from his church after he learns of the suicide of one of the soldiers he counselled while serving as an army chaplain. Sean is questioning his faith as well as his vocation. Meanwhile he meets English professor Meg who is an expert in all things Dickens and is struggling to put all of her research into book form. Can they help on another find their way?
In the 1800s there lives a lady named Merry Chapman, a widow who has lost her husband and only child to illness. She spends her time rescuing the lost and orphaned children off the mean streets of London. Here she meets the inimitable Charles Dickens and a friendship is formed. Dickens, is struggling to write a Christmas story before his publisher’s deadline, and searching for what makes Christmas so special.
Author Scott Rezer brings these two timelines together and in so doing shows us that “Christmas without love is just another day spoiled by selfishness and greed.” Very enjoyable read and highly recommended.
I am an ARC reader - this review is strictly my own opinion
This is a story that touches the heart of anyone who has second-guessed their calling. In the current time, Pastor Sean takes a leave from his church after he learns of the suicide of one of the soldiers he counselled while serving as an army chaplain. Sean is questioning his faith as well as his vocation. Meanwhile he meets English professor Meg who is an expert in all things Dickens and is struggling to put all of her research into book form. Can they help on another find their way?
In the 1800s there lives a lady named Merry Chapman, a widow who has lost her husband and only child to illness. She spends her time rescuing the lost and orphaned children off the mean streets of London. Here she meets the inimitable Charles Dickens and a friendship is formed. Dickens, is struggling to write a Christmas story before his publisher’s deadline, and searching for what makes Christmas so special.
Author Scott Rezer brings these two timelines together and in so doing shows us that “Christmas without love is just another day spoiled by selfishness and greed.” Very enjoyable read and highly recommended.
I am an ARC reader - this review is strictly my own opinion
November 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a very different dual time in a really good way. I liked how Merry helped Dickens with his Christmas Carol and in current day, Meg helps bring peace to Sean regarding his past. There’s so much depth to the story! There are secrets and surprises and faith and good character development and a very good and meaningful story.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews