Both of these Christmas novellas surprised me with their genuine spirit and characters. Angela grieves her best friend. She would rather forget Christmas this year, but circumstances plop her right into the biggest public celebration with neon blue decorations. She wants to hide yet the town will not have its annual joyous parade and holiday music unless she plans, prepares, and produces. She receives help from an unusual stranger and who knows? She may pull it off after all. A delightful heartwarming story!
Astrid’s life has included more loss and pain over the years and now her family wants her to move into an assisted living community. Her grace and wit, her attitude and fortitude may see her through this difficult transition. Another pleasurable novella to set the Christmas tone with challenging situations that we often face in what should be a happy time of year.
~I received a copy from Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own. br /> ( )

The author two novellas build on the hope and goodwill of the celebration of Christ during the holiday season. Each story presents relationship struggles that are quietly resolved through faith. Although each story ends on an uplifting note, the future is open for interpretation.

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

Title: Colors of Christmas
Author: Olivia Newport
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Colors of Christmas" Two Contemporary Stories Celebrate The Hope of Christmas By Olivia Newport

My Thoughts....

Two Contemporary Stories Celebrate The Hope of Christmas:

Christmas in Gold

What a story that had me in tears...What will happen when a older woman [Astrid] falls and breaks her ankle. Then her family wants to put her in an assistant living facility. Wow, what a family! You will just have to pick this one up to see how it will all come out as she meets a Physical Therapist named Carly.

Then next we have....

Christmas in Blue

This was such a wonderful contemporary heartwarming story of 'love, loss and the beauty of family and friends.' What will happen as a mysterious stranger [Gabe] appears in town to help Angela. How will this take a turn and instead of dread there will be 'joy and tenderness in Angela's heart' for this holiday.

Both of these stories are well written and will contain a message that is only for the reader to receive. I found these stories tender, so endearing and hopefully one hearts will be lifted for this Christmas holiday season from the read. I was left to be reminded to be 'thankful and never take anything for granted.'

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport, © 2017
Two Contemporary Stories
Celebrate the Hope of Christmas

My Review:

She had learned long ago that the oddest things provoked deeply buried memories.
--Colors of Christmas, 11

Sounds, smells, sights ~ an occurrence that jolts a long-hidden part so tangible you could reach out and touch it. Changes. But... an exciting place to be ~ for such a time as this. How our lives mesh with another when we barely realize the true impact we have made to encourage and bring a change to their life. Astrid has moved from her home to assisted living and discovers a sweetness she might have missed if her life had gone on "as usual."

This is a story of how a shared life can make a difference. Sharing from a lifetime of love chosen in place of despair and uncertainty to courage and fortitude. Astrid brings joy to this Christmas from the depth of her many days.

The value of keepsakes is the memory in them.

The hope of the world.
The hope of the despairing.
The hope of all who seek God's abundant life.
--Ibid., 164

You won't want to miss this story of God's great Love brought to earth in His Own Son.

Christmas in Gold
This book has two Christmas novellas, “Christmas in Gold” and “Christmas in Blue.” The first one is rooted in the story of a real person, Astrid, an older woman I met at the gym. I first heard her story at a Culvers restaurant and scribbled notes on a pile of brown napkins. Despite tragedies and setbacks, she is one of the most faith-filled and hope-filled people you could ever meet. It brought me joy to bring her story to life in “Christmas in Gold,” with fictional framing. A few days ago I took copies to people at the gym who know the real Astrid and are eager to learn more of her story through my book. ~ author Olivia Newport (Credit)
~*~

No one with a musical bent ever regretted learning the piano, especially someone who did not yet know he would grow up to be a composer.
--Ibid., 170

The J*O*Y we find in the future from the small things that become important later on...

Angela Carter finds that her repetition may just be the very thing that encourages another when they find they need it most. A memory interwoven that sparks and jolts today when it is least expected.

Teaching young students, she hopes to instill in them the melody of her heart ~ music floating on a breeze when it becomes so much a part of you that you are unaware when you come to the end of the composition.

A Christmas to Remember
Blitzen
~* the thrill was in the escape *~

Angela inherited Blitzen a half year past; her friend Carole's trusty companion ~ when he chose to stay in his supposed boundaries. Now Carole was gone. How would they survive a Christmas without her? A dear friend, exuberantly heading Spruce Valley's traditional Christmas celebration. How could Angela know that a tardy arrival at a committee meeting for this year's celebration would invade her envisioned silent Christmas? The least thing we expect could be just what was needed.

A surprise visitor becomes an essential part of Spruce Valley's Christmas preparation. I liked how suspicion is turned to J*O*Y. A Christmas not soon forgotten.

Christmas in Blue
“Christmas in Blue” was inspired by “blue Christmas,” an observance on the longest day of the year that recognizes that Christmas is not easy for every one, especially for people who have known loss in the preceding year. A man at the gym, who took one of my books because of Astrid’s story, said he just wants to get through Christmas and get it over with. I was able to tell him that “Christmas in Blue” was written for people who feel that way. I hope when he reads it, he’ll find new hope in the season. ~ author Olivia Newport (Credit)

*** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.*** ( )

This book by Olivia Newport has two contemporary stories that revolve around Christmas hope. Christmas in Gold, the first story, also has elements of historical fiction during the main character's memories.

Through the magic of her pen, this author has chosen to deal with a few issues most of us don't want to even think about at Christmas. Yet all of us experience loss of one type or another all throughout our lives. We experience loss of jobs, loss of homes, loss of friends, family, fellowship, respect, a good name, things and people important to us. The first Christmas tale tells of an octogenarian who has lost her mobility temporarily and her independence permanently. But this bright, alert and friendly grandmother has a heart of gold and cares for those within her sphere of influence, including her young physical therapist. Astrid's sensitive nature has picked up how Carly seems unsettled and ill at ease most of the time. She becomes determined to be a blessing to this young mother and attempts to befriend her.

At the same time, Astrid herself must deal with the changes in her life, precipitated by a fall and broken bones. Now she has an apartment and is making friends at the facility that is her new home.

While this is a contemporary short story, Astrid's story is enhanced with flashes of memories of her childhood growing up in Nazi Germany. The reader is privileged to catch a glimpse of what life must have been like under the repressive regime for ordinary citizens who only wanted a peaceful life, to make a living, and to take care of their families. These rough experiences formed the woman Astrid had become before she emigrated to America. And all the while, Christmas is getting closer and preparations are buzzing all around her. Her immediate family may not even make it to visit her by Christmas.

You would think this storyline would make such a tale maudlin, and certainly there are many poignant moments that make the reader pause. But the author has skillfully woven in themes of hope and regeneration into a moderately fast-paced tale I enjoyed reading. It is certainly one of the best Christmas themed short stories I have read this year.

In the second short story, Christmas in Blue, the author treats colors in all their representative forms. In the first story, the presence of gold colored ornaments triggered Astrid's early memories of life in Germany. There were special gold ornaments in the past which held special significance for her. In the second tale, blue becomes a recurrent theme, woven all throughout the book in sometimes humorous, sometimes cringeworthy ways.

In the small town of Spruce Valley, Angela was grieving the loss of her best friend. They had been friends for decades, and as Christmas was approaching Angela did not have a celebratory bone left in her body. Carole was the one with all the exuberance over Christmas. Every year she took charge of the town's annual Christmas celebration called "A Christmas to Remember." Angela had always been willing to assist her friend , doing anything Carole asked her to do. Carole's love of all things Christmas carried them forward. But this year, there was no Carole and Angela's Christmas spirit has fled.

Just eight days before the festival of the year was to occur, Angela discovered the planning committee had put her in charge. Just eight days! From that point on Angela was caught up in a mad dash to pull it all together in spite of how she felt. It was her way to honor her friend Carole. Then everything started to go wrong. Basement leaks, damaged props, melted candles, a broken sleigh, injured people. You name it and it was either broken, damaged or missing. Angela couldn't help but think this year's "Christmas to Remember" was going to be known as the "Christmas to Forget" or even as a "Christmas to Regret."

While this tale was sometimes filled with frustration, more often you couldn't help but see the humor as the destruction piled in on itself. Only a miracle could pull all this together in time for the official moment. The author provides some interesting twists to the events, especially when someone special shows up and lends Angela a helping hand. It even made the theme, a blue Christmas, take on a whole new meaning.

I absolutely loved both stories in this book. The author uses keen insight into the hearts of differing personalities, weaving together two amazing tales of hope, encouragement, fellowship and the grace and peace we find in a close relationship with God.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." ( )