About the Book

Book: Saving Ebenezer

Author: S. Daniel Smith

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: October 12, 2021

front-2 Much had changed in seven years. Scrooge had given all to rid himself of the guilt and shame of his miserly ways. Nearly saved Tiny Tim, too, who was only slightly bigger at his death than Christmas Eve seven years prior. Scrooge had the best doctors working on the boy’s condition, all of them happy to have Scrooge pay for this treatment or that, but never quite figuring out exactly what was wrong. Still, Tim had started the pathway of a bright future.

Until pneumonia struck. In a fortnight, Tim had gone from spry and hopeful to weak and discouraged. And then dead.

As Ebenezer Scrooge watched the simple casket lowered into the near-frozen muck on December 20th, 1850, there could be no mistaking the fact that a piece of him was being buried as well.

And that was why Ebenezer Scrooge was angry.

The old Scrooge was back. Joy had given away to sorrow in the meanest of ways, for it sprung upon the old man with such ferocity that he had no defense. Powerless, and angry, that was Ebenezer Scrooge, all right. Joy had given way quickly to pain and sorrow, the likes of which Ebenezer Scrooge had never experienced before.

Ebenezer Scrooge, heartbroken and frustrated, begins to ask questions about faith. Much like the original story, he is given a guide to help him find the answers. As he struggles to understand death, sorrow, and poverty in terms of faith, he finds one answer to all his questions: Jesus Christ. The book ends with Ebenezer finding faith, health, and love.

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About the Author

Saving_Ebenezer_Cropped Dan Smith is a Christian, a husband, a father, a career US Navy sailor, and freelance writer living in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife and three children. His publishing history goes back 21 years, when he was first published in the magazine Pentecostal Messenger.

Dan specializes in writing about life in the military, especially as it affects Christians in service. He has also tackled the issue of cystic fibrosis, the autism spectrum, and a host of other topics.

More from Dan

“I have always loved the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. From the original novella to The Muppets, I’ve been fascinated by the story. Only one thing was truly missing, and that was the real hope Christians find in Jesus Christ. In that way, Saving Ebenezer: The Continuing Saga of a man named Scrooge is my offering to my Lord. I did my best to retain the style and language of the original, as well as to stay true to the original story and characters, while offering a glimpse at the hope we have in Jesus.

The biggest reason I wrote the book is to show the need for Christ. I do my best to keep from being preachy, and I believe you’ll find the book entertaining with a point. I can’t wait to hear what you think!”

MY REVIEW

Bah! Humbug! Yes those were my first thoughts upon seeing this book. If there ever was a mean old man who took the meaning out of Christmas, it was Ebenezer Scrooge. The mere thought of him makes me sad. Such an unhappy person he was. I couldn’t hold back my excitement to see what the author would do with this character. Is it possible for someone to change? Of course it is if they choose to. Awe there lies the big question doesn’t it? Would Ebenezer want to be happy and spend his days helping others? Would be utter the words to ask Jesus into his heart? Well let’s see what happens in this adventure.

I sensed the theme of the book right away. Scrooge was having a pity party and wanted others to feel sorry for him. He had changed his ways, given money to those in need but still Tiny Tim wasn’t saved. What more did God want from him? How silly he was to think that good deeds is what God was looking for.

The story is a look at a man who needed to surrender his life to God. Ebenezer knew who God was but he didn’t have a relationship with him. I enjoyed the journey of watching Ebenezer learn about forgiveness and being set free from sin. He finds hope when he felt there was none. As his heart softened and he began to understand he found Christ. I loved reading how his faith grew stronger and you could feel that he wanted to shout from the rooftops, “I am saved.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.