Celebrate the joyful hope of the Christmas season as characters find healing in the midst of heartbreak. New from Olivia Newport! Christmas in Blue In the wake of a personal loss deeper than anyone realizes, Angela plans to bypass as much of the season as possible and get through her duties as the church organist by going on autopilot. Instead, she finds herself in charge of the town’s … finds herself in charge of the town’s celebration. After a mysterious young man arrives, townspeople suspect he is the reason that one set of plans after another disintegrate until little is left of their traditions. Yet Angela warms to Gabe because she suspects they share a secret–his real reason for coming to town. Even when all they have to work with is a garish supply of blue Christmas decorations, Gabe helps Angela discover the hidden beauty of hope.
Christmas in Gold
After eighty years, change is nothing new for Astrid. By the time she was twenty, she survived the destructive Nazi regime, caring for her family under brutal circumstances, moving to America, and losing her husband. At forty she was widowed again and left to build a new life with her children. Now, when she faces a move into an assisted living community and meets a young woman on the brink of despair, she resolves to stir up hope through tragedy one more time.
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I loved this book.
It was ok. The first book ended and I thought “you’re ending it here?” So many things un-resolved. I really thought there would be another chapter. It was disappointing. The second book was ok st best.
Not a romance but very interesting characters.
Easy read, I enjoyed.
Two very well written novellas..Different settings but a common thread of facing Christmas after major losses.
Maybe I’m just tired of Christmas stories but couldn’t Finish either story
This is not a true romance. It is about relationships beyond the grave and how we cope with a friend’s loss.
From “The Gold Book” one discovers an insight into Germany during the ending of WWII and the difficulties suffered by many. People can be quite resilient. In the Blue story working together creates amazing results.
I thoroughly enjoyed these stories! Wonderful characters with stories to tell, author Olivia Newport pulls you into these Christmas stories and helps you to realize that life is about family and friends.
Heartwarming, neither are typical Christmas tales. From an elderly woman moving to an assisted living facility, to a piano teacher pushed into something she doesn’t want to do, lessons are learned and hope is shared.
Reminded what the true meaning of Christmas is, this is a great book to add to your holiday reading list.
Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport contains two inspirational Christmas stories. Christmas in Gold stars Astrid who recently suffered a fall in her home causes her to break her ankle. It was all her children needed to force her move into Sycamore Hills Community Living. Carly is Astrid’s physical therapist at Sycamore Hills. She has been having a challenging time since Truman started harassing her. As time passes, Astrid tells Carly the story of her life in Germany during the war and what she experienced after immigrating to America. Astrid’s strong character and perseverance give Carly hope and strength. Is there a chance for a happily ever after in Carly’s future? Will Astrid adjust to her new living arrangement?
Christmas in Blue is the second story starring piano teacher, Angela Carter. Angela lives in Spruce Valley and she is lacking the Christmas spirit this year. Her best friend, Carole passed away earlier in the year and it has left Angela feeling very blue. Angela is late to A Christmas to Remember committee meeting and finds herself in charge of the whole events with only eight days to go. A Christmas to Remember was Carole’s baby and the last thing Angela wants to do is take it over. She soon discovers that the event seems to be doomed from the start with one catastrophe after another. There is a stranger in town that stands out to the locals and they blame him for problems plaguing their celebration. Angela, though, is happy to see Gabe despite what brought him to town. Gabe provides Angela with hope and inspiration. Will Angela be able to pull of A Christmas to Remember? Why is Gabe in Spruce Valley?
Colors of Christmas is well-written and easy to read. I liked the characters, setting, and the Christian elements/lessons. Astrid was a woman who had endured much hardship, but she had such a strong faith in God. It was inspiring and heartening. Christmas in Blue deals with depression which is common for many people during the Christmas season. I liked the uplifting ending. Some of the Christian messages or themes were faith, trust in God, hope, acceptance, courage, and perseverance. I give Colors of Christmas 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). My favorite story was Christmas in Gold. It had more depth and such a heartwarming conclusion. Colors of Christmas contains two lovely, inspirational stories. They show that Christmas is not about presents, but about helping people and honoring the one person who sacrificed everything for His believers.
Colors of Christmas, Olivia Newport
Two stories of Christmas holiday stress, loss, and redeeming comfort in two different seasons of life for two different women. These two beautifully written faith based stories of hope resonate with our contemporary lives.
Colors in Gold features Astrid, a woman in her 80’s who is trying to adjust to the loss of her lifestyle. Astrid recently fell down the stairs in her home and broke a couple of bones. Alex and Bridget, her adult children have arranged for Astrid to move into an assisted living community. She has had to watch the contents of her home of more than 40 years be divided up for the few things she will have room enough to keep in the tiny apartment at Sycamore Hills Community Living. When she meets her physical therapist Carly, Astrid realizes the young woman is very troubled. We also will learn more about the trauma of Astrid’s childhood during the aftermath of WWII in Germany. She had a precious box of ornaments left from her grandmother, which has gone missing in her move. As I read this story, I shed a few tears because just a few years ago on a December morning I took my mother and a few of her favorite possessions and set her up in assisted living due to her health. My mom left a lifetime of collections and love for a 40-acre farm home and had to start a totally new life. Even though it can be very necessary, it is still a very grievous loss for an independent woman in her 80’s. Her apartment number was 321. I thought so much of the parallels for Astrid and my sweet Mother and both of their lives of faith to give them strength to start over in a new season of life.
Colors in Blue features Angela who is grieving the loss of her best friend Carol, who died six months earlier. She is not in a mood for Christmas and all the responsibilities of the season. She is caring for Carol’s dog, Blitzen. Angela finds out she has been nominated to plan the programs and organize the decorations for “A Christmas to Remember” which is a community holiday event. Carol loved Christmas and always arranged the programs and decorations for the church event. As Angela is forced to pick up the pieces of Carols former holiday extravaganza, everything seems to go wrong. It will take all the faith Angela can summon to do her best for the community on this very special night. She will push beyond her feeling of loss and grief to find a new spirit of hope and love.