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Celebrated: An Awakened Novella
Come celebrate Christmas in the palace under the sea…
Ninety years ago, when the Black Tail Rebellion ended in her brother’s death and a crown placed on her own head, Electra swore to serve the Atla Mer and lead them to peace and a renewed faith. And she has done just that. But ruling is a lonely business, especially when she outlives the friends who once brought laughter and joy into her life. Except for one night each year, when she and the royals of Daryatla come together to celebrate the birth of the Once and Coming One. Holytide. The night when she always slips away from the ball to remember the reason they celebrate. The night when the man she loves slips out with her, to count the stars or watch the jellyfish dance through the red and green lights. The one night each year when she feels truly loved. At least, until last year.
Ryder Mallow has worked his whole life to outpace the pain his mer father had caused him, has risen through the ranks of the Guardians in Daryatla until he became King Seidon’s right hand, High Guardian of the Barrier Banks after the retirement of the queen’s father. Bound together through their shared Awakening Ceremony, Ryder and Queen Arden have become like siblings, and he’s long been a part of their celebrations…and forty years ago, he stumbled upon Electra, watching the stars. Somehow, they forged a tradition together. Somehow, love sprang up where it had no business thriving. At least, until last year.
This year, Holytide brings with it more than a festive ball and a strained relationship. This year, strange mer have come from the Calm Waters on the other side of the continent…and they come with an offer that could unsettle the balance of the world both above and beneath the waves.
A Christmas novella set in the Awakened world of the mer, Celebrated is a story of love, friendship, and the tenuous bonds of peace we must always choose anew.
Ninety years ago, when the Black Tail Rebellion ended in her brother’s death and a crown placed on her own head, Electra swore to serve the Atla Mer and lead them to peace and a renewed faith. And she has done just that. But ruling is a lonely business, especially when she outlives the friends who once brought laughter and joy into her life. Except for one night each year, when she and the royals of Daryatla come together to celebrate the birth of the Once and Coming One. Holytide. The night when she always slips away from the ball to remember the reason they celebrate. The night when the man she loves slips out with her, to count the stars or watch the jellyfish dance through the red and green lights. The one night each year when she feels truly loved. At least, until last year.
Ryder Mallow has worked his whole life to outpace the pain his mer father had caused him, has risen through the ranks of the Guardians in Daryatla until he became King Seidon’s right hand, High Guardian of the Barrier Banks after the retirement of the queen’s father. Bound together through their shared Awakening Ceremony, Ryder and Queen Arden have become like siblings, and he’s long been a part of their celebrations…and forty years ago, he stumbled upon Electra, watching the stars. Somehow, they forged a tradition together. Somehow, love sprang up where it had no business thriving. At least, until last year.
This year, Holytide brings with it more than a festive ball and a strained relationship. This year, strange mer have come from the Calm Waters on the other side of the continent…and they come with an offer that could unsettle the balance of the world both above and beneath the waves.
A Christmas novella set in the Awakened world of the mer, Celebrated is a story of love, friendship, and the tenuous bonds of peace we must always choose anew.
- GenresFantasyChristian Fiction
91 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2025
10 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Roseanna M. White
61 books3,900 followersRoseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
see also Roseanna White
see also Roseanna White
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 23, 2025
I’ve never bought an ebook the day it released and finished reading it within 24 hours UNTIL this one. I enjoyed being back in this story world!
December 28, 2025
How such a short story can pack that big of a punch is beyond my comprehension. Roseanna M. White seems to do it with ease. While I think you could read this as a stand alone, I wouldn't suggest it. I'd definitely read Awakened first.
Having ruled for 90 years, Electra has done the hard work to have a peaceful sea kingdom. With the coming of the celebration of the Once and Coming One at Holytide (Christmas), she welcomes Seidon, Arden, and their entourage for celebration. This group includes Seidon's High Guardian, who just so happens to be the man she has loved for decades. The only problem... Ryder says that there is no future and they should just enjoy the Holytide week that we get each year. Will that be enough for Electra? Does that impact her interaction with the new mer king from the Calm Waters?
You'll devour this novella in one sitting. This novella has everything you want: action, romance, forgiveness, compassion, and a faith message. My only critique is that I wish that we had a full-length novel of Electra and Ryder. Hopefully we'll see more of them in the next installment of the Awakened series!
Having ruled for 90 years, Electra has done the hard work to have a peaceful sea kingdom. With the coming of the celebration of the Once and Coming One at Holytide (Christmas), she welcomes Seidon, Arden, and their entourage for celebration. This group includes Seidon's High Guardian, who just so happens to be the man she has loved for decades. The only problem... Ryder says that there is no future and they should just enjoy the Holytide week that we get each year. Will that be enough for Electra? Does that impact her interaction with the new mer king from the Calm Waters?
You'll devour this novella in one sitting. This novella has everything you want: action, romance, forgiveness, compassion, and a faith message. My only critique is that I wish that we had a full-length novel of Electra and Ryder. Hopefully we'll see more of them in the next installment of the Awakened series!
December 25, 2025
I literally squealed with excitement when I saw this book was released the day before yesterday! I just HAD to buy and read it right away! I gobbled this Christmas Novella in one sitting last night and it made me SO happy. This series has quickly become one of my favorites and I can not wait for the next book to release!
Something this Novella does really well is keep the balance on introducing new characters and including old ones. It was such fun to read about Christmas (called Holytide) under the sea. The emphasis on the Gloria literally had me grinning with joy. I was reminded of the verse were it says all creation will sing His praise. I love how the fashions are described in this book! You can just see all the amazing dresses. I still wish for bookmarks with them! Celebrated is far from a cozy Christmas read but it has all the Christmas feels! It had me thinking all the Christmas thoughts, with a focus on the Nativity and thankfulness for His arrival. I highly recommend this Christmas novella and the entire series! I have reviews of both the first book, Awakened, and the prequel short story on my bookstagram if you would like to read more Alaskan.BookDragon
Something this Novella does really well is keep the balance on introducing new characters and including old ones. It was such fun to read about Christmas (called Holytide) under the sea. The emphasis on the Gloria literally had me grinning with joy. I was reminded of the verse were it says all creation will sing His praise. I love how the fashions are described in this book! You can just see all the amazing dresses. I still wish for bookmarks with them! Celebrated is far from a cozy Christmas read but it has all the Christmas feels! It had me thinking all the Christmas thoughts, with a focus on the Nativity and thankfulness for His arrival. I highly recommend this Christmas novella and the entire series! I have reviews of both the first book, Awakened, and the prequel short story on my bookstagram if you would like to read more Alaskan.BookDragon
January 4, 2026
4.5 stars
This Christmas novella is the perfect blend of romance, action, faith and fantasy. Loved having another peek into the Awakened world of the mer and reuniting with some favorite characters while awaiting the next full-length novel in the series. I would highly recommend readers read Awakened first so that they can enjoy this novella to its fullest.
Electra and Ryder are the sweetest couple. A 40 year courtship definitely needs its happy ending. Electra has proven to be an outstanding ruler for the mer over the last 90 years. Her love for her kingdom and its people is only surpassed by her love for Ryder. But is this love strong enough to overcome the many obstacles between them? When strangers visit for the Holytide celebration, the bonds of love and friendship are put to the test.
I happily allowed myself to get lost in this magical story that while short, manages to hold truths that are valid in the real world as well.
This Christmas novella is the perfect blend of romance, action, faith and fantasy. Loved having another peek into the Awakened world of the mer and reuniting with some favorite characters while awaiting the next full-length novel in the series. I would highly recommend readers read Awakened first so that they can enjoy this novella to its fullest.
Electra and Ryder are the sweetest couple. A 40 year courtship definitely needs its happy ending. Electra has proven to be an outstanding ruler for the mer over the last 90 years. Her love for her kingdom and its people is only surpassed by her love for Ryder. But is this love strong enough to overcome the many obstacles between them? When strangers visit for the Holytide celebration, the bonds of love and friendship are put to the test.
I happily allowed myself to get lost in this magical story that while short, manages to hold truths that are valid in the real world as well.
February 9, 2026
What fun, another short story by Roseanna M. White that is set in the sweet fantasy world of the Awakened series.
I found this book after I read a couple of her first books in the series, and I couldn’t be more excited. I decided I want to dive deep into all of these books and stories! They are so rich with wonderful images and amazing dialogue. Each story holds so much truth in it.
Roseanna M. White is truly a master storyteller! All her stories flow so smoothly!
A good book is one that ignites deep emotions and feelings in you, so much so that when you finish the book, you can’t think about anything but the book and what you experienced. I’ve been walking around in a daze after reading this story. In fact, I didn’t want to leave her story world.
However, I now have to wait for the next book to be released. Bummer! Write fast, Roseanna!
I highly recommend you read this book and let it whet your interest in the fantasy world that this new series brings!
I found this book after I read a couple of her first books in the series, and I couldn’t be more excited. I decided I want to dive deep into all of these books and stories! They are so rich with wonderful images and amazing dialogue. Each story holds so much truth in it.
Roseanna M. White is truly a master storyteller! All her stories flow so smoothly!
A good book is one that ignites deep emotions and feelings in you, so much so that when you finish the book, you can’t think about anything but the book and what you experienced. I’ve been walking around in a daze after reading this story. In fact, I didn’t want to leave her story world.
However, I now have to wait for the next book to be released. Bummer! Write fast, Roseanna!
I highly recommend you read this book and let it whet your interest in the fantasy world that this new series brings!
January 2, 2026
This is a novella for Roseanna White’s romantasy (romantic fantasy) series that fits in between the novels Awakened and Aflame. It will make more sense if you have at least read Awakened, as most of the characters are introduced in that book.
I loved the characters, the interactions between them, the plot twists that left me gasping, and the “impossible” resolutions that come as priorities and choices are examined and faced honestly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I loved the characters, the interactions between them, the plot twists that left me gasping, and the “impossible” resolutions that come as priorities and choices are examined and faced honestly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
December 25, 2025
A Beautiful Christmas Novella
I was so excited to read this novella on Christmas Day. I highly encourage you to read Ms. White’s first book in the series, Awakened. That way, it feels like you are reuniting with old friends, which you are; how good it was to see them! I love Elektra. Her strength and faithfulness were rewarded. Lovely. I can’t wait to read more of this series. I highly recommend.
I was so excited to read this novella on Christmas Day. I highly encourage you to read Ms. White’s first book in the series, Awakened. That way, it feels like you are reuniting with old friends, which you are; how good it was to see them! I love Elektra. Her strength and faithfulness were rewarded. Lovely. I can’t wait to read more of this series. I highly recommend.
January 8, 2026
Ebook. Yesterday evening I was feeling very unsettled and felt like I needed a really good book to get my mind off things. Roseanna White’s writing captures my attention quickly so I looked to see what I hadn’t yet read of hers and found this novella. I really enjoyed Electra and Ryder. Their Christmas Eves together over so many years captured my imagination. I’m glad Ryder came to his senses!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2025
Oh my heart!
I love the world Awakened introduced us to. How fun to get to see a bit in the future and realize how much Electra has helped her people change and heal. This story was amazing and endearing. I loved the romance. I loved meeting new mer and I loved the Christmas story woven throughout. Amazing story for young and old alike.
I love the world Awakened introduced us to. How fun to get to see a bit in the future and realize how much Electra has helped her people change and heal. This story was amazing and endearing. I loved the romance. I loved meeting new mer and I loved the Christmas story woven throughout. Amazing story for young and old alike.
December 27, 2025
A delightful Christmas novella set in the Awakened world. I loved seeing Electra, the wonderful queen she has become, and the glimpse into her palace. I loved the strong friendship between Electra, Seidon, Arden, and their children. And Ryder! He’s perfect for Electra. Highly recommend this novella (as well as the Prequel and Book 1!)
December 30, 2025
Loved it. Highly recommend it.
It's a great Christmas Novella, with many of the beloved characters from Awakened, and really well written. I am amazed at how much Roseanna managed to fit into this novella without anything feeling rushed.
It's a great Christmas Novella, with many of the beloved characters from Awakened, and really well written. I am amazed at how much Roseanna managed to fit into this novella without anything feeling rushed.
January 1, 2026
I was so excited to hear about this novella & ordered it as fast as I possibly could! Such a great companion to the Awakened series & loved the romance between Electra & Ryder!
January 22, 2026
love it!!
I read the first in the series and the other novella, this was just as amazing!! Love them!!!! This is one of my favorite of Roseanna’s series!
I read the first in the series and the other novella, this was just as amazing!! Love them!!!! This is one of my favorite of Roseanna’s series!
January 11, 2026
Love the Holytide tradition!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews