Once Upon a Christmas: 55 Heartwarming Short Stories Bring Meaning to the Season

by Sharon Bernash Smith, Linda Reinhardt, Sharon Bernash Smith

A mysterious package left in the snow on Christmas Eve. A startling encounter with the homeless. A treasured gift of love. Set in the 1800s through the present, in colorful settings that span the globe, beloved inspirational writers Sharon Bernash Smith, Linda Reinhardt, and Rosanne Croft pen charming holiday stories to warm, delight, and romance the heart. Travel to small towns, to the tropics of Africa, to the wilds of Montana, to battlefields, and many more fascinating locations with 55 short stories featuring unforgettable characters who discover, in the midst of difficult circumstances, the true meaning of Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction

457 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2015

Reviews

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book full of heartwarming stories about the Christmas season. It was a great read!

[Sharon Mackey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and a keeper.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Upon A Christmas is a collection of 55 short stories. These stories are written by 3 different authors: Rosanne Croft, Linda Reinhardt, and Sharon Bernash Smith. This is definitely a Christian book with the theme of finding Jesus, Asking Jesus and/or God to help and/or show you a sign and Jesus being the Reason for the Season. This is a good thing. To read about the lost finding Christ and people making the correct choices because of their faith is heartwarming. The stories occur throughout time from the late 1800s to the present and cross cultural barriers and well as different parts of the world. From young children finding a Jewish baby thrown from a train heading to a concentration camp to a father who is killed in Iraq just before Christmas most of the stories are both sad and joyous. I thoroughly enjoyed these stories, especially at Christmas time. This book appears to be a culmination of several shorter books put together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for that joyous feeling of Christ and his miracles and those who may have some doubts and questions as well.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Once Upon a Christmas
Author: Rosanne Croft , Linda Reinhardt , Sharon Bernash Smith
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Once Upon a Christmas" 55 Heart-Warming Short Stories Bring Meaning to the Season, by Rosanne Croft , Linda Reinhardt , Sharon Bernash Smith

What I liked about this novel....

Fifty-five wonderful inspiring Heart Warming Short Stories that was set in the 1800's. I found all of these characters were so well developed, defined, well portrayed and believable all that really showed 'God's love.' As you read through each story the reader really get that special 'meaning to Christmas.' These reads would be so special during the Christmas season that once you start this wonderful collections one will find it hard to put down as you finish one and start another story. If you want to read a very inspirational read this Christmas Holiday...pick up Once Upon a Christmas and you will not be disappointed.

I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhonda]

This is a fun, light reading for the Christmas season but the stories would certainly warm your heart any time of year. Most of the stories are highly engaging and take place in various time periods and places. Some of the stories were a little slow for me and I will admit to skipping through portions on those particular ones as I read. I love the ones set in war times as it called to mind possible scenarios for relatives of my own who served in World War II in particular.
These stories can be read one at a time or enjoyed in one sit-down.
I rate this collection of short stories 4 stars and would be happy to recommend it to readers of inspirational fiction.
I received a kindle version of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very inspiring book of short stories. From a small Jewish baby being found by children to a grandfather to find Jesus as his grandchildren softened his heart to a soldier's wife's loneliness with no letter to help until the Christmas Angel stopped by, and so on throughout this book.

I don't usually like short stories but this book was just very inspirational. It shows Jesus' and God's love and just regular people in so many different ways and different ages. It gives you a warm feeling inside. Their characters were unique. I liked them and the many different stories this book held. I highly recommend.
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want cheesy, uplifting, warm fuzzy short fictional stories... this book is for you. These stories are definitely fictional, mostly because they are so over the top that they couldn't possibly be real even if they were introduced as 'mostly' fiction. I also had issues with the doctrines talked about... like visions, God as a wish genie that must answer all prayers, especially for salvation... but if that were true I could just pray for all people to be saved and then we wouldn't need a hell now would we? I take doctrine and truth pretty seriously but someone who likes holiday fluff even if it's not exactly true... this book is great for you.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it's a CHRISTmas book, but that doesn't matter. Those who know me, know how very special Christmas is to me and that I will and would celebrate year round. I love the meaning and feel of Christmas and sharing that with others. "One Upon a Christmas" us a collection of short stories - fifty-five to be exact; each story is uplifting, focuses on Christmas, a learning experience, or how another's life was forever changed. I don't know that I can pick a favourite story from this, but I CAN tell you how happy I am to have read it and I think you would too enjoy this also.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great collection of short sweet stories about the real reason for Christmas. The characters, settings, and plots were varied while each carried a message about focusing on what's truly important.
Plus, because the book is a collection of short stories it is easy to find time to read them throughout the busy holiday season. Also, FYI- if you don't like religious things, this is not the book for you.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once Upon A Christmas is a collection of 55 short stories. These heartwarming stories are written by 3 different authors: Rosanne Croft, Linda Reinhardt, and Sharon Bernash Smith. I enjoyed these variety of stories that are historical and contemporary. I highly recommend the sweet collection to anyone's Christmas reading.
5 stars.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once Upon a Christmas is book filled with 55 short stories that will make you smile and help get you into the joyous fuzzy warm feeling of Christmas. The short chapters lend itself for quick heartwarming reading.

Thanks to Shiloh Run Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sherrie Gallegos]

This is an awesome book. I love that most of the stories are short. I initially used it as a bedtime read over the holidays.