Another Christmas Carol: A Modern Sequel to the Charles Dickens Classic by John C. Derr honors the holiday classic through this stunning return of the three ghosts of Christmas. This tale brings to life the story everyone knows through the journey of Ellie, who confronts her past to change her future. The ghosts that helped Scrooge become a better person have returned every Christmas Eve to help someone change. Ellie has come to their attention as a woman who has shut love out of her heart. Now on the anniversary of her heart transplant, she receives a visit from the ghost of the woman whose heart now beats in her chest. The ghost of Bernice has come with a warning of three ghosts that will be arriving to help Ellie to become a better person just in time for Christmas Day. But first, Ellie must take a trip to the past, present, and future.

This classic holiday tale is re-imagined by John C. Derr, who captures the tone and essence of Christmas that Charles Dickens brought to life. The role of Jacob Marley goes to Bernice, who is the woman that donated her heart when she died, which saved Ellie's life and gave her a second chance to live. Bernice serves as the messenger that tells Ellie about her upcoming visits from the ghosts. Derr captures the same poignant and emotional core as Scrooge's story through the honest approach to Ellie's life and the experiences that drove her to become the person she is in the present. The Ghost of Christmas Past is the first to visit and takes her into the past to face the trauma and pain she experienced as a child. By delving into her past, Derr sets up the events that pushed Ellie into locking away the happy, hopeful, and loved girl that she was. Several references are made throughout to A Christmas Carol with humorous mentions by Ellie, who isn't a Charles Dickens fan until she is literally drawn into a Dickens' classic. The story is woven with humor, such as children wondering if nuns had legs under their robes. Another Christmas Carol captures the charm of the Dickens classic with a new story that is timeless, hopeful, and endearing.

Another Christmas Carol: A Modern Sequel to the Charles Dickens Classic by John C. Derr tells the unforgettable story of Ellie Printh, a self-satisfied, wealthy business owner who receives a new heart from an organ donor, Bernice. Bernice was an unhappy alcoholic widow with two greedy children, Dicky and Diane. Both women were considerably cold, uncaring, and distant, intentionally avoiding any type of relationship that did not benefit them or contribute to their goals or plans. Ellie receives rental income from various tenants who, if unable to pay their rent, are summarily evicted by Ellie who has no consideration for their circumstances. On Christmas Eve, Ellie begins to experience strange events and visions of Bernice, for which there seems to be no logical explanation. Her enjoyment of having power and control over people had always counted in her favor but, for the first time, she learns what the consequences of her behavior are.

John C. Derr's Another Christmas Carol is a supernatural story inspired by Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol and includes the 'Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.' This novel is filled with anticipation and is a quick, easy read. It is well written, the compelling plot is well thought out, and it keeps the reader interested from beginning to end. I enjoyed this unusual story and my favorite part of the book, which sums it up, is: “Live the life you want to live; be the person you want to be. Don’t waste this time. If each person would just focus on making their little corner of the world a little better for everyone else in it, the future would be a brighter and more promising time.” Ellie learns that life is about helping one another, spreading joy, and giving hope to those less fortunate than her. There are no negative aspects to this story and it is suitable for all ages. I rate the novel a well-earned five out of five.