Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport

Title: Colors of Christmas

Author: Olivia Newport

Pages: 320

Year: 2017

Genre: Christmas Stories

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     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 must 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.

My review:

     These are two hope-filled Christmas stories!

     I love the main characters in each of these stories. I was able to connect deeply with both Astrid (Christmas in Gold) and Angela (Christmas in Blue). They are each faced with deeply painful and emotional Christmases to get through. Reading their stories really shown a light on the fact that the greatest hope can best be found in the most difficult and trying times.

     Both of these amazing women were able to make new friends that helped them get through their time of discouragement and depression. They were able to then move past it and help others along the way.

     I picked up this book without reading the summary for it. I was looking for a light-hearted Christmas story. This was definitely heavier than I thought it was going to be. But it was exactly what I needed. I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it!

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*