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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Believable characters.
Rounding up from 3.5 stars. For novellas these are both a little slow moving but they are sweet and clean. No sex or language. The first one has some threatened violence with a knife (self defense) and reflects back on WWII bombings etc.
I thought Astrid’s story was interesting, sad and hopeful. Carly’s story was a bit scary and kind of unresolved in some ways. I suppose the author wanted to have her spiritual life resolved and wasn’t worried about other elements of her life. What are the punishments for breaking a restraining order? Will all be well now? Is she safe long term? These questions were not answered. There was also the potential for a romance in the story but that was largely unexplored. It was almost like the author wanted a cliff hanger ending leaving open the opportunity for a full book.
The second story I liked but wondered if it would really be possible to pull off what Angela does in the short time she has to do it. I liked Gabe but wondered why he needed to be mysterious. Why didn’t he just tell people who he was so they’d stop being suspicious. I was intrigued by the power outage during church services. I’ve experienced this in church before and it seems to change the tone of the meeting. I’ve also experienced it during a choir concert where people had to bring out flashlights for the pianist to be able to see and the choir sang in the dark. It is much harder to see the conductor that way. But it does change the feeling. Not in a bad way.
There was religion mixed in to both stories but the second one contains a full Christmas sermon.
The first book was very good and held my interest. It took me awhile to get into the second book, but had a good ending.
A light, easy-to-read book that includes to fictional stories that realistically address the grief people who’ve experienced loss feel during the holiday season. I highly enjoyed the characters and story lines, without all the drama of a conflicted romance.
Good read especially for the holidays. There is some sadness but also hope.
An interesting plot with likeable characters.
Already reviewed.
I really enjoyed this book
It was my favorite book I read for the Christmas Season
Very well written and good character development
Liked very much
Charming stories, enjoyed reading this book.
HATED IT~
Two wonderful stories of women facing dark times and coming through to a brighter time.
A good Christmas read.
Fun, light-hearted, and entertaining Christmas gift!
Wish the ending was better. Both stories left you wondering what happened next.
Enjoyed the characters & the plot.
Good story but left the reader hanging at the end.
Two good short stories that show you can use your life for good no matter your circumstances.