Thursday, December 15, 2022

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: A Texas Christmas Carol by Karen Witemeyer

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring A Texas Christmas Carol by Karen Witemeyer. I finally got around to reading a Christmas book this year! And it was a good one! It's gotta be one of my favorite retellings of A Christmas Carol. So fun!

About the Book
From the talented pen of bestselling author Karen Witemeyer comes a charming Christmas novella inspired by the holiday classic A Christmas Carol.

After the Panic of 1873 ruined his father and impoverished his family, Evan Beazer set a single life goal for himself--security. He would never allow joviality and dreams to send him to the poorhouse. Now a successful businessman, Evan runs a dozen inns throughout Texas from the privacy of his home, keeping locals away with the perpetual scowl and gruff manner that have become his natural disposition.

Felicity Wiggins is in charge of distributing church Christmas baskets to the less fortunate, and she is determined help as many families as possible. In an attempt to gather more donations than past years, she must convince the wealthiest man in town to participate and sets forth on a campaign to pester him into cooperation.

As Felicity tries to bring Evan out of seclusion--and he does everything in his power to avoid her--can she convince him that true riches lie not in bank accounts but in bringing joy to others?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
December 1895
London, Texas
"It's a fool's errand, I tell you."

Friday 56
“I feel plenty of frustration. Anxiety. Hurt. But I also feel joy, gratitude, and hope. The trick, I’ve learned, is to decide which feeling to hold on to. It’s impossible to feel two opposite emotions at the same time. At least, I’ve never managed it. I can’t feel both anxiety and peace in the same moment. I have to choose one.” 

What have you been reading lately?

26 comments:

  1. I love Christmas stories from yesteryear. Enjoy!

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  2. Definitely sounds like a fun take on the classic. And there is such truth in the 56 quote.

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    1. Right? I have to remind myself that all the time.

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  3. That sounds like an intriguing retelling. It's interesting that it's not set too far off in time from the original.

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  4. Karen writes great stories.
    My first line comes from All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes, which I just finished.
    Prologue
    Once upon the dawn of time, there was water. Before there were stars, before the Maker set life into earth, breath into lungs, beast ir man to roam…there was water. Dark and reaching, stirred not by wind but by the spirit of the Almighty himself.

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    1. I'm excited to read this one. I love Amanda Dykes' books. :)

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  5. This does sound lovely and perfect for this time of year. Love the name play as well!

    Have a good weekend and happy reading!

    Elza Reads

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  6. An unusual setting for a Christmas Carol retelling, but it sounds charming. Thanks for sharing.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

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  7. I do love a good retelling!! Happy weekend!

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  8. This does sound like a fun retelling. And I like Karen Witemeyer. :D

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    1. It's been a while since I've read one of her books, but this story reminded me how much I love them. It's so good! :)

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  9. This does look fun. I love her books!

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    1. I need to get caught up on her books. I'm a bit behind. I've loved everything I've read of hers though. :)

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    1. It's so good! One of my favorite Christmas Carol retellings. :)

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  11. 'Pester him into cooperation' -- that sold me on this!

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  12. I enjoyed this one! I'm reading The Veteran's Holiday Home by Lee Tobin McClain. The first line is: Principal Ashley Green looked at the redheaded, freckle-faced eleven-year-old in front of her and tried to maintain a stern expression." Have a great weekend!

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    1. Sounds good! I love her books! Hope you have a great one too! :)

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  13. Sounds fun! I love A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

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    1. A Christmas Carol is one of my faves and I LOVE retellings. :D

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