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Rock Creek Christmas Collection #1
A Christmas to Remember
Readers first met Ella in the multi-award winning novel 'The Calling of Ella McFarland.' They cheered as feisty Ella battled to raise women from dark places, and they fell in love with Andrew alongside Ella.
In the novella 'A Christmas to Remember' readers revisit Ella and Andrew three years into their marriage. Oklahoma has achieved statehood, and life in the cottage on the banks of Rock Creek has changed.
What could have prepared the couple for the challenges thus far? Or those ahead?
It's Christmas, 1908, and Ella's life is about to be transformed. Again.
In the novella 'A Christmas to Remember' readers revisit Ella and Andrew three years into their marriage. Oklahoma has achieved statehood, and life in the cottage on the banks of Rock Creek has changed.
What could have prepared the couple for the challenges thus far? Or those ahead?
It's Christmas, 1908, and Ella's life is about to be transformed. Again.
- GenresChristmas
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
25 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Linda Brooks Davis
9 books904 followersReared on a farm in South Texas, Linda earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Abilene Christian University and Houston Baptist University. She devoted 40 years to students with special needs and reared a daughter and son who are now veterinarians practicing together.
Linda was introduced to the world of publishing in 2007 by winning an essay contest that resulted in the Christian Writers Guild's Writing for the Soul Conference. Subsequently, Gospel Publishing House featured her article "The Choice" in their quarterly publication, LIVE. The article revealed the agonizing choice physicians presented her daughter in her at-risk triplet pregnancy. Linda published articles in two other collections of stories about God's grace.
BOOK 1 in THE WOMEN OF ROCK CREEK series, THE CALLING OF ELLA MCFARLAND, is a romantic historical written from a Christian worldview. Set in 1905, it won the 2014 Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel contest and ACFW's 2016 Carol Award.
Sequel novella A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER picks up with Ella's and Andrew's love story. It's Christmas 1908, and Ella's about to learn which comes first—the "worthy" or the "work".
A second novella, A CHRISTMAS MEASURE OF LOVE, is set in 1910 and is a prequel to Book 2 in The Women of Rock Creek series, THE MENDING OF LILLIAN CATHLEEN. Mother and daughter reunite in the old shack where their tears and blood once mingled. Wheat gift will they find?
The third novella, A CHRISTMAS TALE FOR LITTLE WOMEN, is a prequel to THE AWAKENING OF MISS ADELAIDE, Book 3 in The Women of Rock Creek series. It's 1912, and Adelaide's about to discover the Yuletide surprise of a lifetime.
BOOK 3 in THE WOMEN OF ROCK CREEK series, THE AWAKENING OF MISS ADELAIDE, releases July 9, 2019. It is set in 1918-1919.
Linda was introduced to the world of publishing in 2007 by winning an essay contest that resulted in the Christian Writers Guild's Writing for the Soul Conference. Subsequently, Gospel Publishing House featured her article "The Choice" in their quarterly publication, LIVE. The article revealed the agonizing choice physicians presented her daughter in her at-risk triplet pregnancy. Linda published articles in two other collections of stories about God's grace.
BOOK 1 in THE WOMEN OF ROCK CREEK series, THE CALLING OF ELLA MCFARLAND, is a romantic historical written from a Christian worldview. Set in 1905, it won the 2014 Jerry Jenkins Operation First Novel contest and ACFW's 2016 Carol Award.
Sequel novella A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER picks up with Ella's and Andrew's love story. It's Christmas 1908, and Ella's about to learn which comes first—the "worthy" or the "work".
A second novella, A CHRISTMAS MEASURE OF LOVE, is set in 1910 and is a prequel to Book 2 in The Women of Rock Creek series, THE MENDING OF LILLIAN CATHLEEN. Mother and daughter reunite in the old shack where their tears and blood once mingled. Wheat gift will they find?
The third novella, A CHRISTMAS TALE FOR LITTLE WOMEN, is a prequel to THE AWAKENING OF MISS ADELAIDE, Book 3 in The Women of Rock Creek series. It's 1912, and Adelaide's about to discover the Yuletide surprise of a lifetime.
BOOK 3 in THE WOMEN OF ROCK CREEK series, THE AWAKENING OF MISS ADELAIDE, releases July 9, 2019. It is set in 1918-1919.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 5, 2020
This was a great novella to pique your interest about Lily Sloat and her background and what is in store for her.
A warm-hearted Christmas story with a sick mother and friends to make a memorable holiday. Sweet reunion of mother and daughter and a promise of better days to come.
Ms Davis has a lyrical way with words. Makes me want to read the other books in this series.
*I purchased this ebook from Amazon. All opinions are my own.*
A warm-hearted Christmas story with a sick mother and friends to make a memorable holiday. Sweet reunion of mother and daughter and a promise of better days to come.
Ms Davis has a lyrical way with words. Makes me want to read the other books in this series.
*I purchased this ebook from Amazon. All opinions are my own.*
November 12, 2016
This story picks up three years after the last pages in the author’s multi-award-winning historical, The Calling of Ella McFarland. Ella is now married to Andrew, and the couple has five adopted daughters and one of their own—a total of six children. Andrew wants to make life easier for Ella, and he has the financial means because of earlier investments in a silver mine. But she insists they live on what he makes as a preacher. The result is that Ella is worn out by all that she does for her family, and with Christmas fast approaching, she’s putting even more pressure on herself to get all the preparations done in time.
Not having read The Calling of Ella McFarland, I initially felt a little out of touch with the characters, but that didn’t last long. The author drew me in with her beautiful prose filled with fresh and delicious descriptions that never bogged down the story. For instance: “The sun was slipping into the earth like a gold coin into a piggy bank, its weakening flow spilling between the trees in the copse.” “Diffused sunlight threaded through the lace window panels and painted a pattern of vines on the upholstery.” This author’s writing has certainly enticed me to read her other work.
What rang true for me—and I believe will for many readers—was the story’s message. Like Ella, too many of us try to prove our worth by how much we accomplish. Our hearts are often in the right place. We serve out of love for our family members, friends, charities, or ministries, but it can be easy to pour so much of ourselves into getting things done, that we can become exhausted and close to being dangerously empty. Ella’s experiences are good reminders to slow down and focus on what’s really important during the holiday season—and any day of the week.
Although set in 1908, A Christmas to Remember still has relevance for us today. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Not having read The Calling of Ella McFarland, I initially felt a little out of touch with the characters, but that didn’t last long. The author drew me in with her beautiful prose filled with fresh and delicious descriptions that never bogged down the story. For instance: “The sun was slipping into the earth like a gold coin into a piggy bank, its weakening flow spilling between the trees in the copse.” “Diffused sunlight threaded through the lace window panels and painted a pattern of vines on the upholstery.” This author’s writing has certainly enticed me to read her other work.
What rang true for me—and I believe will for many readers—was the story’s message. Like Ella, too many of us try to prove our worth by how much we accomplish. Our hearts are often in the right place. We serve out of love for our family members, friends, charities, or ministries, but it can be easy to pour so much of ourselves into getting things done, that we can become exhausted and close to being dangerously empty. Ella’s experiences are good reminders to slow down and focus on what’s really important during the holiday season—and any day of the week.
Although set in 1908, A Christmas to Remember still has relevance for us today. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
March 2, 2022
Ella has now been married for a few years, and her experience has been different than she expected, but she wouldn’t change anything. When she and Andrew arrived to the cottage after their honeymoon, they were introduced to five orphaned girls. Now, three years later, they have the five girls, another biologically, a stillborn to grieve, and a full house to tend while Ella teaches the girls. On top of everything else, Christmas is a few days away and Ella is burning the candle at both ends to get everything ready in time. Will the Evans family have a perfect Christmas, or will Ella fall apart first?
This was a quick read, and I enjoyed returning to Ella and Andrew’s lives. My heart went out to Ella, because I know what it’s like to work yourself to the point of exhaustion to make sure everything is perfect for everyone else, only to find that people feel that you’re not there for them. This book was a good reminder to be present with others and enjoy your time with them before it’s too late.
This was a quick read, and I enjoyed returning to Ella and Andrew’s lives. My heart went out to Ella, because I know what it’s like to work yourself to the point of exhaustion to make sure everything is perfect for everyone else, only to find that people feel that you’re not there for them. This book was a good reminder to be present with others and enjoy your time with them before it’s too late.
December 5, 2016
Sparkling Christmas Novella
Like sunlight shimmering off new fallen snow, "A Christmas to Remember" dazzles with excellent writing, compelling plot, and well-crafted characters, especially the heroine, Ella. Given that this is a novella, understandably, minor points of the storyline needed to be summarized. Otherwise, this incredibly well written story captured an entire afternoon and wouldn't let me put it down. I heartily recommend this offering by Linda Brooks Davis for your Chis
Like sunlight shimmering off new fallen snow, "A Christmas to Remember" dazzles with excellent writing, compelling plot, and well-crafted characters, especially the heroine, Ella. Given that this is a novella, understandably, minor points of the storyline needed to be summarized. Otherwise, this incredibly well written story captured an entire afternoon and wouldn't let me put it down. I heartily recommend this offering by Linda Brooks Davis for your Chis
April 14, 2020
1908 Ella and Andrew are married with 1 child and 5 adopted ones,all girls.
She feel she must get the gifts made before Christmas, and while they were sleeping, Andrew tries to get her to rest, and not worry about getting them done. The unrelenting responsibilities.she feels so unworthy. Time will show her that the gift is herself to be with them and the memories of Christmas.
She feel she must get the gifts made before Christmas, and while they were sleeping, Andrew tries to get her to rest, and not worry about getting them done. The unrelenting responsibilities.she feels so unworthy. Time will show her that the gift is herself to be with them and the memories of Christmas.
July 13, 2021
Sweet continuation of a women’s life!
This was a good second book. The story of Ella continues but in cameo form. In other words this was just one event that stands alone. I don’t feel there is a reason for more in this series. The end of book seems a good close to the tale!
This was a good second book. The story of Ella continues but in cameo form. In other words this was just one event that stands alone. I don’t feel there is a reason for more in this series. The end of book seems a good close to the tale!
February 23, 2022
Read the whole review at https://novelsalive.com/2022/02/23/3-...
December 9, 2016
Linda Brooks Davis’ debut novel, The Calling of Ella McFarland, got a recommended rating from me. Her follow-up Christmas-themed novella featuring Ella, Andrew and other old and new characters is a heart-warming story that focuses on the what love entails. I can easily see this historical tale set in the early 1900s as a Hallmark Movie! Filled with historic details, engaging characters and a timeless message, A Christmas to Remember gets a highly recommended rating!
The last time we saw Ella and Andrew was shortly after they married. Now a few years later, they have a family of 6 girls! With 5 adopted sisters and a child of her own, Ella is stretched to the limits of her endurance. Determined to do all things for her family, Ella neglects the most important thing — sharing herself. Ella is working to prove herself worthy, but she learns in the end that love can’t be measured, love can’t be weighed, nor can it be earned.
A Christmas to Remember is a very short book — just 126 pages — but packs a lot of punch! I really enjoyed returning to Oklahoma and reconnecting with Ella. If you have not read Davis’ first book, don’t despair, A Christmas to Remember can easily be read as a standalone. This one is perfect reading beside the fire!
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinion expressed are mine alone.)
The last time we saw Ella and Andrew was shortly after they married. Now a few years later, they have a family of 6 girls! With 5 adopted sisters and a child of her own, Ella is stretched to the limits of her endurance. Determined to do all things for her family, Ella neglects the most important thing — sharing herself. Ella is working to prove herself worthy, but she learns in the end that love can’t be measured, love can’t be weighed, nor can it be earned.
A Christmas to Remember is a very short book — just 126 pages — but packs a lot of punch! I really enjoyed returning to Oklahoma and reconnecting with Ella. If you have not read Davis’ first book, don’t despair, A Christmas to Remember can easily be read as a standalone. This one is perfect reading beside the fire!
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinion expressed are mine alone.)
January 1, 2018
I was first introduced to this author at a FaceBook party and have found her books are sweet, easy reads, yet with profound truths. This book has great themes of self-worth, with Ella trying to prove she was worthy. I love this quote: “Which comes first, the worthy or the work. Worthy comes first. I was worth so much to God He gave His only Son to save me…before I’d taken a breath.” Another theme is about carrying around guilt which God never intended for us to carry. This book was a reminder to me this year to think about what was really necessary during the Christmas season.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews