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The Keeper Chronicles
The Candlelight Gifts: A Keeper's Tale
The best gifts come from the heart.
It's almost Midwinter, and Rass the grass elf doesn't have a gift for Douglon.
What can she get the dwarf who gave up everything to come to the elven wood to care for her and forty-six baby tree elves?
The only thing she has is her clearing of grass, and that's too much to give up.
Isn't it?
The Candlelight Gifts is a short story retelling of The Gifts of the Magi, by O. Henry
It's almost Midwinter, and Rass the grass elf doesn't have a gift for Douglon.
What can she get the dwarf who gave up everything to come to the elven wood to care for her and forty-six baby tree elves?
The only thing she has is her clearing of grass, and that's too much to give up.
Isn't it?
The Candlelight Gifts is a short story retelling of The Gifts of the Magi, by O. Henry
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2022
11 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 10, 2022
Delightful!
January 27, 2024
This is an adorable story about a dwarf who has adopted a whole community of orphaned tree elves and one little grass elf. It brims with love and sweetness in a story reminiscent of O'Henry's Gift of the Magi. This is a child-sized book of selfless love and generosity. I can't wait to share it with my grandchildren
November 1, 2024
There is only a 5 ⭐ rating for this lovely novella. I'd give it a 6 ⭐ if I could.
Rass, the elven babies and Uncle Doug Doug make for a wonderful, heart wrenching ode to love of found family. Each giving up something they love to make the other happy at the time of giving of the Candlelight Gifts is the true love story.
Am I crying at a 50 page novella, shhhh let's not talk about it. I loved it though.
Rass, the elven babies and Uncle Doug Doug make for a wonderful, heart wrenching ode to love of found family. Each giving up something they love to make the other happy at the time of giving of the Candlelight Gifts is the true love story.
Am I crying at a 50 page novella, shhhh let's not talk about it. I loved it though.
March 8, 2024
The Candlelight Gifts by JA Andrews is a short story set in the world of the Keeper Chronicles. While you can definitely read and understand it in its own, I think it'll be a lot more meaningful if you read the main series first, so know the characters and their backstory.
It's a warm hearted and comforting read that left me with a warm glow!
It's a warm hearted and comforting read that left me with a warm glow!
December 8, 2022
The Candlelight Gifts was the little piece of Holiday Magic that I needed in my life. This (sadly) short story held an absolutely magical and heartwarming message and it was the perfect bit of escapism on an extremely cold and snowy day.
Rass, Douglan, and their little—or not so little family—of 46 two year old tree elves are enjoying their lives in the Greenwood. The elves have their trees, Rass her own small but comforting grassland, and Douglan his Dwarven ax. Then one cold winter day Douglan returns from the The Stronghold bearing Mid Winter gifts from the Keepers which gets Rass’ wheels turning. And when Douglan has to take a sudden trip to Dunclave, home of the dwarves, Rass and Avina (the self appointed leader of the baby elves) decide to create their own gifts for Douglan and what follows is a funny, heartwarming, and completely beautiful story about friendship, love and sacrifice.
I absolutely adore both Rass and Douglan and have since they appeared in the Keeper Chronicles. And those baby elves are comedic and fantastical genius. There was no way this story wasn’t going to be amazing with that group of characters.
Andrews is a master story teller. Whether she is writing a standalone Keeper Chronicle, a complex and epic trilogy, or a short 48 page Keeper’s Tale everything she writes is utter perfection. If you haven’t read any of her books, do yourself a favor, and read them! Read them all! You deserve it! (Oh…and…look at that gorgeous cover! If that doesn’t just beg to be read then…)
Rass, Douglan, and their little—or not so little family—of 46 two year old tree elves are enjoying their lives in the Greenwood. The elves have their trees, Rass her own small but comforting grassland, and Douglan his Dwarven ax. Then one cold winter day Douglan returns from the The Stronghold bearing Mid Winter gifts from the Keepers which gets Rass’ wheels turning. And when Douglan has to take a sudden trip to Dunclave, home of the dwarves, Rass and Avina (the self appointed leader of the baby elves) decide to create their own gifts for Douglan and what follows is a funny, heartwarming, and completely beautiful story about friendship, love and sacrifice.
I absolutely adore both Rass and Douglan and have since they appeared in the Keeper Chronicles. And those baby elves are comedic and fantastical genius. There was no way this story wasn’t going to be amazing with that group of characters.
Andrews is a master story teller. Whether she is writing a standalone Keeper Chronicle, a complex and epic trilogy, or a short 48 page Keeper’s Tale everything she writes is utter perfection. If you haven’t read any of her books, do yourself a favor, and read them! Read them all! You deserve it! (Oh…and…look at that gorgeous cover! If that doesn’t just beg to be read then…)
February 23, 2023
So here I go catching up on the towering stack of reviews I need to write 😬so I started with something super cosy and non-terrifying.
Why cosy and non-terrifying? Because I can easily say, without caveat or fear of doubt-filled nightmares, that I loved this little gem of a book wholeheartedly.
Though I read it over Christmas, I don't believe I let the temporary warming of my shriveled, corrupt heart to influence my enjoyment of this story. It's a perfect tale of returning favourite characters from Andrews' wider series, giving us a cosy slice-of-life that can be enjoyed whatever the season or weather, and I believe would serve as a gentle introduction to her other works.
The Candelight Gifts further cements Andrews as a master storyteller. Go treat yourself to it.
Why cosy and non-terrifying? Because I can easily say, without caveat or fear of doubt-filled nightmares, that I loved this little gem of a book wholeheartedly.
Though I read it over Christmas, I don't believe I let the temporary warming of my shriveled, corrupt heart to influence my enjoyment of this story. It's a perfect tale of returning favourite characters from Andrews' wider series, giving us a cosy slice-of-life that can be enjoyed whatever the season or weather, and I believe would serve as a gentle introduction to her other works.
The Candelight Gifts further cements Andrews as a master storyteller. Go treat yourself to it.
December 21, 2022
This little gem is a novella taking place in the same world as the Keeper Chronicles, which I adored. This is a lovely addition, featuring several of my favorite characters, in a beautiful Winter Solstice-type setting, with a cozy high fantasy vibe.
It’s sweet, heartwarming, and brought tears to my eyes. While it’s best to read this after the original trilogy, it does stand on its own pretty well.
I absolutely loved it, as I have everything I’ve read by J.A. Andrews. Highly recommended for those who love Christmas blended with elves, dwarves, and forests. 💚
It’s sweet, heartwarming, and brought tears to my eyes. While it’s best to read this after the original trilogy, it does stand on its own pretty well.
I absolutely loved it, as I have everything I’ve read by J.A. Andrews. Highly recommended for those who love Christmas blended with elves, dwarves, and forests. 💚
December 7, 2023
A short seasonal read set in the world of the Keeper Chronicles.
If you ever wondered what happened to Rass and Duglan after they stayed behind to babysit the reborn elves then this is the book for you.
It is a bit stand alone but if you don't read the series you might not understand why a dwarf and a grass elf are playing parents to 46 toddler tree elves.
The story itself is based on The Gifts of the Magi and is a very good retelling of that story.
If you ever wondered what happened to Rass and Duglan after they stayed behind to babysit the reborn elves then this is the book for you.
It is a bit stand alone but if you don't read the series you might not understand why a dwarf and a grass elf are playing parents to 46 toddler tree elves.
The story itself is based on The Gifts of the Magi and is a very good retelling of that story.
December 20, 2024
This was a true 5 star read for me.
A short story about beloved characters from the Keeper Chronicles.
The only thing better than revisiting "old friends" from a completed series, is revisiting them in a cozy setting during the holiday season. If you are a fan of the Keeper Chronicles series, this is the perfect read for an afternoon by the fireplace with a warm beverage of choice. If you have not read the series, you MUST read it!
Happy Holidays 2024
A short story about beloved characters from the Keeper Chronicles.
The only thing better than revisiting "old friends" from a completed series, is revisiting them in a cozy setting during the holiday season. If you are a fan of the Keeper Chronicles series, this is the perfect read for an afternoon by the fireplace with a warm beverage of choice. If you have not read the series, you MUST read it!
Happy Holidays 2024
December 30, 2022
A book that I felt was for me – and not just because it was dedicated to everyone who wanted to know what happened to Doug, Rass and all the baby-elves. So far I only read the Keeper’s Chronicles, but the baby-elves, Doug and especially Rass are among my favorite characters. This book being written from her perspective made it something special. But also the theme of found family rang very strong with me. It was a really quick and cozy (or what I rather call “feelgood”) read, that definitely did not get me close to tears. Not in the very least!
January 4, 2023
What a gift!
On the 10th day of Christmas JA Andrews gave to me the most sweetest of short stories. ❤❤❤❤
This was the Christmas present we all needed and never knew. A perfect little snippet for our Rass and Douglan, with a festive feel. Can't say anymore I'll spoil it.
A lovely cozy read.
On the 10th day of Christmas JA Andrews gave to me the most sweetest of short stories. ❤❤❤❤
This was the Christmas present we all needed and never knew. A perfect little snippet for our Rass and Douglan, with a festive feel. Can't say anymore I'll spoil it.
A lovely cozy read.
September 20, 2023
Beautiful, Beautiful gifts
Even in a short story, Janice manages to make me cry. I hadn't realized how much I had missed Rass and Douglan and the baby elves, but they were all so lovely as were their gifts. Beautiful, beautiful gifts. Sacrificial gifts are perhaps the most beautiful after all. And nobody died in this one, so I suppose the tears aren't so bad after all.
Even in a short story, Janice manages to make me cry. I hadn't realized how much I had missed Rass and Douglan and the baby elves, but they were all so lovely as were their gifts. Beautiful, beautiful gifts. Sacrificial gifts are perhaps the most beautiful after all. And nobody died in this one, so I suppose the tears aren't so bad after all.
December 1, 2023
The Candlelight Gifts: A Keeper's Tale (The Keeper Chronicles Series), a re-working of O’Henry’s TheGift of the Magi, my fifth read from author J.A. Andrews. A 48-page read that I read in under an hour. A thoroughly entertaining well written read that makes you want to read more by this author, I do and I will! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
December 9, 2023
This is the CUTEST little holiday story you can imagine. Set in the timeline of the Keepers Chronicles, Rass the grass elf learns about Midwinter and Candlelight gifts from “uncle” Douglon the dwarf. I love their sweet friendship - found family is the best family. Like The Gift of the Magi, this short story will leave you with all the holiday feels.
December 26, 2024
What a beautiful story! If you loved Rass and Douglon as much as I did you have to read this story. It fits in perfectly with the tree elves, the dwarves and the future they all have. It shows the true love of building your own family and investing everything into them.
You will drop right into the clearing, the mountain, the trees - the picture is beautifully painted by the author.
You will drop right into the clearing, the mountain, the trees - the picture is beautifully painted by the author.
December 10, 2022
True love never fails.
I got to say I really enjoyed this story and
appreciate the feelings and sentiment it fully gives. Uplifting heart warming. Every needs these feelings in their lives.
I got to say I really enjoyed this story and
appreciate the feelings and sentiment it fully gives. Uplifting heart warming. Every needs these feelings in their lives.
August 11, 2023
The Candlelight Gift is a sweet and touching retelling of The Gift of The Magi set in the world of the Keepers. Rass and the baby elves want to give Douglon a gift for MidWinter.
I loved getting another brief visit with Douglon, Rass, and the elves. They make an exceptional found family!
I loved getting another brief visit with Douglon, Rass, and the elves. They make an exceptional found family!
January 4, 2024
This was such a cozy, sweet book with such a bittersweet but beautiful ending! I loved seeing more of Janice's lovely characters, and I truly enjoyed reading this with my kiddo. A fantastic holiday read!
February 18, 2024
This was a cute little story about a grass elf and a dwarf exchanging holiday gifts, each wanting nothing but the best for the other. I need to catch up on the related series and am looking forward to more from these characters.
June 7, 2024
A different take on an old story
I love the idea of Candlelight gifts. I think I'll use the idea in real life. It would be interesting to know more about the characters lives. A charming tale.
I love the idea of Candlelight gifts. I think I'll use the idea in real life. It would be interesting to know more about the characters lives. A charming tale.
August 31, 2024
The Candlelight Gifts
I loved that his short tale with Douglan, Rass, Avina and the other baby elves.
It was nice to visit with them again and see that things were going smoothly
(well almost).
I think these characters from The Keeper Chronicles deserve their own little series!
I loved that his short tale with Douglan, Rass, Avina and the other baby elves.
It was nice to visit with them again and see that things were going smoothly
(well almost).
I think these characters from The Keeper Chronicles deserve their own little series!
February 24, 2025
This was a cozy “Christmas” story/Gift of the Magi. Even though I knew what was going to happen I still was able to immerse myself in the characters places, especially Rass. I quickly developed a love of this character and her indomitable spirit. I recommend this as a heartfelt and quick read.
November 21, 2022
Enchanting
A very sweet story of love and the most amazing gifts that don't actually turn out as planned. It's great to catch up with Rass, Douglas and the young tree elves.
A very sweet story of love and the most amazing gifts that don't actually turn out as planned. It's great to catch up with Rass, Douglas and the young tree elves.
November 30, 2022
The love of family.
The true gift is a gift of self, in love for another. Great thing to remember during this Christmas time.
The true gift is a gift of self, in love for another. Great thing to remember during this Christmas time.
December 30, 2022
t.the candlelight gifts
I just finished the candlelight gifts.I thoroughly enjoy another tale can't wait for next instalment I just found a tale about Gulliver the peddler 😀😀
I just finished the candlelight gifts.I thoroughly enjoy another tale can't wait for next instalment I just found a tale about Gulliver the peddler 😀😀
Read
December 31, 2022So much love.
That was the best short story. So much love between 2 different races. If only that could happen the world would be a much better place.
That was the best short story. So much love between 2 different races. If only that could happen the world would be a much better place.
Want to read
January 4, 2023I'm basically going to read this book at some point solely because of the cover
January 25, 2023
lovely
The love between a dwarf, a grass elf and their baby tree elves and the power of giving from the heart. A simple and beautiful tale.
The love between a dwarf, a grass elf and their baby tree elves and the power of giving from the heart. A simple and beautiful tale.
May 3, 2024
Killed it
As with everything JA writes I love this side story. Who doesn't love Doug Doug? Can't wait for more! On to the next
As with everything JA writes I love this side story. Who doesn't love Doug Doug? Can't wait for more! On to the next
December 20, 2024
JA Andrews doesn’t miss! This was a solid and sweet Christmastime story of Rass and Douglon, and I greatly enjoyed it. I’d love to also do candlelight gifts as a tradition.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews