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)

author Olivia Newport

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