Book Review: Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport (Two Contemporary Stories to Celebrate the Hope of Christmas)

4 Comments Edit

". . . we have traveled . . . not to dwell on what we have lost but on what God has given.."  (302)

Title:  Colors of Christmas
Author: Olivia Newport
Publisher:  Shiloh Press / Barbour Publishing
Release Date: October 1, 2017
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Christmas Novellas


Celebrate the joyful hope of the Christmas season as characters find healing in the midst of heartbreak.

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 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.




Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport consists of two separate novellas, but they tie in so beautifully in giving us a story of God's grace and the hope of His gift evokes. Each story intertwines the message of faith in life's trials, especially when we age. It's about remembering, but also about acceptance. It's about loving and finding how stories can last. 

"We all have stories, and it's a wonderful thing when our stories catch up with just the right person. It's the beauty of God Himself, showing Himself among us by pulling our stories into His great story of grace.." (134)

In all, Colors of Christmas is heartwarming and hopeful. Personally, I really like Christmas in Gold even though I can't relate to our main character's life change in moving to an assisted living facility. I find the message of trust and keeping faith despite resonating. The memory path was such a lovely touch. In all, this collection provides a great start to a Christmas season. 


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.

TO PURCHASE A COPY

  
  


Olivia Newport's novels twist through time to discover where faith and passions meet. She chases joy in Colorado at th efoot of the Rockies, where day lilies grow as tall as she is.

TO CONNECT WITH OLIVIA:  website,  facebook,  twitter




                                                                                                                                              

CONVERSATION

4 comments:

  1. Mrs TinaOctober 21, 2017 at 2:03:00 PM EDT

    Wonderful review Annie!
    I just finished reading Colors of Christmas and agree, both stories are filled with God's grace and hope.
    Blessings, Tina

    ReplyDelete
  2. Emilee DouglasOctober 21, 2017 at 10:24:00 PM EDT

    I haven't started reading Christmas stories yet but this sounds really good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. justcommonlyOctober 28, 2017 at 9:11:00 AM EDT

      I just love this time of the year with all the Christmas stories out and to be out.

      Delete

Thank you for commenting. If you don't have any of the accounts listed in the pull down menu, just comment using "Anonymous" and put your name/nickname in the comment. Happy reading!

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )