Happy Release Day!
Congrats Rebecca
on release today of
A Carol for Mrs. Dickens!
A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly
Christmas, Historical Fiction, 1176 pages
Published September 23, 2025, by Shadow Mountain Publishing
Catherine Dickens, wife of Charles Dickens, experiences her own Christmas Eve transformation as she magically travels through her cherished memories to rediscover her lost love of Christmas.
By 1851, all of London has fallen in love with A Christmas Carol, heralding Charles Dickens as “the man who invented Christmas.” But for his wife, Catherine, Christmas is less of a reason for celebration and more of a burden. Between hosting lavish parties, decorating her home, and caring for her eight children—with one more on the way—she feels more like Scrooge than herself this year.
But everything changes after a chance encounter with a kitchen cook, who reminds her that Christmas can be a time of miracles and magic, if she is willing to open her heart.
Armed with a magical sprig of holly, Kate embarks on three transformative journeys into her past, hoping to reconnect with the love she once felt for the holiday—and with herself. But can these memories be enough to reignite her Christmas spirit? Or are such miraculous transformations only meant for the characters in her husband’s beloved tales?
Inspired by real individuals, A Carol for Mrs. Dickens reminds us that the true spirit of the holiday lies in love, faith, and the joy of giving.
My thoughts about A Carol for Mrs. Dickens ~~
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)
First lines—"'The holly and the ivy when they are both full grown...' The carolers were out in full force, gathered in a small but boisterous semicircle outside the bookshop."
I really enjoy reading Christmas stories and especially love A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It's one of my must-reads every year. I was super excited to read this version of the story told from the perspective of Charles Dickens' wife.
Catherine, Charles' wife, is feeling like what I imagine a lot of women feel during the holidays, overworked and overwhelmed by all of the hoopla and busyness of the season, forgetting what the true meaning of it is all about. As she journeys to her past and sees what true happiness was for her and being reminded of the blessings that she has all around her, she comes to realize that she is in a good place and right where she should and needs to be. She finds her joy again.
This was a wonderful story and will now become one that I read right along with A Christmas Carol each year to remind me to savor the beauty and blessings of the season. I highly recommend A Carol for Mrs. Dickens.
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About the author
I was born once upon a time, and I started making up stories right away. Eventually, I started writing them down, and never stopped! I have a day job, which gets in the way of my writing, but it pays the bills so I CAN write, so I guess that's okay! I am a bookworm, which I think is key to being a writer, and I am always looking for inspiration! I live in Indiana, am obsessed with hot chocolate, and I am on track to be the best aunt in the world. ~ Goodreads
Connect with Rebecca
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