There were a lot of things I wasn't expecting from this book. It was recommended to me to read this book so I actually didn't look at it much ahead of time. I didn't realize it was two stories in one but they were both good and they were both not what I was expecting. I don't usually like to read books with a Christmas setting at anytime other than Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading these earlier than the "proper" time this year. I just kind of assumed and expected this would be a book of romance and neither story was but offered perspectives I don't usually look at life from, especially the first story.

Olivia writes stories that are wonderful. Can’t wait to read more from this talented author.

great book just a very odd ending to both stories. I felt like I was left hanging at the end.

These two novellas were light reads that had elements I could relate to. The first involved a woman who had just entered an assisted living facility and some of her experiences were just like my parents' in their assisted living home. The second story involved a choir director and as a choir member, I chuckled at the description of a choir with members of varying abilities. If you're looking for some pleasant stories to read around the holidays, these should fit the bill.

Thoughts:

Through COLORS OF CHRISTMAS, Olivia Newport moves us out of one life and into another during difficult Christmas seasons. We’ll find things in disarray and situations rife with pain.

How can the beauty of this Christmas be still appreciated when nothing is as the season before?

Inside Christmas in Gold, Astrid’s life changes are due to advanced age. She hadn’t wanted to move, but her fall is the reason her children insist. At this tender life stage, it’s hard to be under the rule of the children you raised when you still have the ability to do as you please. Well, that is only until you injure yourself and no longer have that ability, and thus the move to Sycamore Hills Community Living is upon her.

However, they both were right, she did need to relocate, or at least her body did. Her mind wants independence, and maybe that is still possible. It is just hard to give up all that you built, and it is something that she’s had to do before. Those fearsome memories return in vivid color after all these years.

Having something in common tends to bring people together. Will friendships grow even in the darkest of times?

In Christmas in Blue, we meet Angela who is facing the first Christmas after her close friend’s death.

The funny thing about bemoaning this holiday is that Carole was all Christmas and almost all the time, thus making this first even more painful. If she allowed it, every song, movie, and decoration would reduce Angela to tears. No, this year, she is going to this holiday in quiet. Unfortunately, no one told the committee this decision. Angela would not think she even had to. Yes, she assisted Carole on the town’s celebrations, but everyone knew it was Carole’s baby. Angela was just a helper and friend.

However, to honor Carole, the committee decided to give Angela the celebration duties so that she could run it the same way her friend would. Without the benefit of time to change things, this agenda is set almost in secret, and Angela needs help.

When does one’s assistance turn into a disaster? When could a mystery turn to merriment? Is sabotage underfoot or is a new tradition being born?

***This opinion is my own.***

Preview:

COLORS OF CHRISTMAS by Olivia Newport begins inside the stark realities of life changes where hope could not stay buried but lives on to become the beacon of light for others to follow.

Two novellas showcase a death of life as it previously exists only to have it blossom into the rays of hope inside a new Christmas season.

Two contemporary shorter stories written by a prolific author who’s outdone herself in my opinion!

Christmas doesn’t turn out to be what either Astrid, Carly, or Angela envisioned it to be, yet it turns out to be better than they imagined! Things seem to get worse before they get better, but the hope of Christmas shines through in both stories. What I loved about this is it reminds me that Christmas isn’t about the glittery tinsel, or the evergreen wreaths festively displayed, or the twinkle lights soft glow. It’s not about the traditions we keep or the food we eat or even the brightly colored packages under our trees. But rather, the hope that Christ brought through His birth. The hope that never wavers no matter the situation, no matter if Christmas isn’t the joyous season to every person, no matter if things turn out way different then we wanted. It can be celebrated because one baby came to the world to seek and save that which was lost! That’s the hope-filled theme that runs throughout each story. It challenges you to look at it from new eyes and appreciate it from a fresh perspective. It could well change the way you look at life even! Well-written, characters so real you connect with them, emotionally charged and satisfying in the end. One to read over and over again, just to see what other lessons we can learn or be reminded of!

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

This is my first Christmas read for the year and I enjoyed it. :) Two feel-good, heart warming novellas that focus on hope and healing during the most wonderful time of the year!

I enjoyed the first story more than the second one. The elderly lady in this story is so resilient and has gone through so much in her life. Your heart hurts for her situation but you are also encouraged because of her attitude and the way she is determined to make the best of it. The additional thread of a young single mother with a touch of danger in her life makes the story even more interesting. I was a little disappointed in the ending though and didn't feel like there was full closure on a few things.

The second story I found harder to get into but the ending is absolutely beautiful! Poor Angela is still dealing with the grief of losing her best friend who loved Christmas. When the town's committee dumps the planning of the annual Christmas celebration in her lap, nothing goes right for her. As she deals with her grief and depression, the arrival of Gabe seems to bring about the start of Christmas miracles. In the end, the town is awed by a Christmas service like none they have ever seen. I loved the description of this service.

*Thanks to CelebrateLit for a complimentary copy of this book. I was not paid nor required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are my own.*

Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport is comprised of two inspirational Christmas novellas. “Christmas in Blue” is about a woman named Angela who is chosen to organize the Christmas events in her town, which she does not feel prepared for and which quickly goes downhill. But a surprising visitor might just save the day … if Angela can allow herself to trust him. “Christmas in Gold” features an elderly woman named Astrid who just moved into an assisted living facility. She meets a young woman with many troubles and determines to help her.

I enjoyed Colors of Christmas. I do not usually choose inspirational or Christmas books to read, but this one was a pleasing surprise. Both stories were sweet. They featured realistic characters who had to grow in order to move forward in their lives. The two main characters were “mature” Christian women who had to learn just as much as the other characters in the stories. Christmas was a central theme to both stories, but they would be inspirational no matter what time of year they were set during.

The setting of “Christmas in Blue” was a small town that goes all out for Christmas events. It was especially relatable to me, coming from a small town. And it is true in that story that, when surrounded by so much Christmas stress, it is difficult to appreciate Christmas itself.

“Christmas in Gold” was a lot different. The main character loved Christmas and, while she was sad she would not be spending time with her children that year, was determined to be a great friend and mentor to the young woman in her life. She loved Christmas, her young friend, and her family. She did not have so much growth to do, but she still had obstacles to overcome. Also, there was a little bit of danger in this story, and it surprised me. But it was a welcome surprise that added a little depth to the story.

I enjoyed Colors of Christmas and recommend it to those who enjoy sweet Christmas stories. Give it a few more weeks, and the time of year will be perfect!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Colors of Christmas is sweet and heartwarming and everything lovely about Christmas.

“Christmas in Gold” is a compelling story about an elderly woman who has survived the unthinkable – more than once – and is now adjusting to life (and Christmas) in an assisted living home. But it’s not a ‘lonely old lady story that will make you feel depressed’; instead it’s an emotional story about one woman who chooses to reach out to another with her story of survival and love and loss. I really loved this story – it tugs at the heart and makes your heart feel all warm and Christmasy.

“Christmas in Blue” would make a great Hallmark Christmas movie. A frazzled & grieving woman suddenly in charge of the town’s Christmas celebration, with not a lot of time to spare and of course nothing goes as planned. A colorful cast of characters peppers the story, and a tender message of faith and restoration and resting in God wraps around the plot like a cozy blanket. While it doesn’t pack quite the same emotional punch as “Christmas in Gold”, if read as its own unique and separate novella it is just as sweet and heartwarming.

Bottom Line: If you’re tired of Hallmark Christmas movie reruns (I know… I just crossed a line.) and you’re looking for a sweet, cozy Christmas read instead, Colors of Christmas is the book for you! Two heartwarming stories with themes of faith, friendship, family and holiday spirit, as well as compelling characters and Olivia Newport’s gentle writing voice, make this a must-read for the Christmas season every year.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Colors of Christmas by Olivia Newport contains two inspirational Christmas stories. Christmas in Gold stars Astrid who recently suffered a fall in her home causes her to break her ankle. It was all her children needed to force her move into Sycamore Hills Community Living. Carly is Astrid’s physical therapist at Sycamore Hills. She has been having a challenging time since Truman started harassing her. As time passes, Astrid tells Carly the story of her life in Germany during the war and what she experienced after immigrating to America. Astrid’s strong character and perseverance give Carly hope and strength. Is there a chance for a happily ever after in Carly’s future? Will Astrid adjust to her new living arrangement?

Christmas in Blue is the second story starring piano teacher, Angela Carter. Angela lives in Spruce Valley and she is lacking the Christmas spirit this year. Her best friend, Carole passed away earlier in the year and it has left Angela feeling very blue. Angela is late to A Christmas to Remember committee meeting and finds herself in charge of the whole events with only eight days to go. A Christmas to Remember was Carole’s baby and the last thing Angela wants to do is take it over. She soon discovers that the event seems to be doomed from the start with one catastrophe after another. There is a stranger in town that stands out to the locals and they blame him for problems plaguing their celebration. Angela, though, is happy to see Gabe despite what brought him to town. Gabe provides Angela with hope and inspiration. Will Angela be able to pull of A Christmas to Remember? Why is Gabe in Spruce Valley?

Colors of Christmas is well-written and easy to read. I liked the characters, setting, and the Christian elements/lessons. Astrid was a woman who had endured much hardship, but she had such a strong faith in God. It was inspiring and heartening. Christmas in Blue deals with depression which is common for many people during the Christmas season. I liked the uplifting ending. Some of the Christian messages or themes were faith, trust in God, hope, acceptance, courage, and perseverance. I give Colors of Christmas 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). My favorite story was Christmas in Gold. It had more depth and such a heartwarming conclusion. Colors of Christmas contains two lovely, inspirational stories. They show that Christmas is not about presents, but about helping people and honoring the one person who sacrificed everything for His believers.

I loved Olivia Newport’s Colors of Christmas so much! This poignant two-novella collection is entertaining, touching, and spoke to my heart. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, it’s a story of hope, peace, and inner joy during the Christmas season when loss is magnified. In a season where many stories have a light, romantic flavor, I would use the term “real” to describe Colors of Christmas. Olivia Newport is an excellent writer of relationship drama, my favorite genre, and I enjoyed the stories of Astrid and Angela equally.

Each story had a personal connection for me as well. Astrid’s German heritage played an important part in Christmas in Gold, and getting to know a lot about Germany during my daughter’s eight years of campus ministry there made Astrid’s experience special. In Christmas in Blue, Angela is a piano teacher, church organist, and choir director – making me want to say, “been there, done that”! So both of these stories resonated in a special way.

Loss is something that touches all of us sooner or later, whether it be the loss of someone close (Angela) or loss of personal independence (Astrid). A fall results in Astrid moving into an assisted living facility, and loss of a best friend leaves Angela wanting little to do with the town’s Christmas program … “The last thing she wanted to do in her grief was try to match what Carole had done in her joy.” But don’t think for a moment that Colors of Christmas is a depressing book, as it’s anything but that. For me, its strength is gently encouraging us to look outward (and upward) instead of inward.

I’m always amazed at how God works by bringing the people we need into our lives at just the right moment, and this is reflected beautifully in these stories. I especially enjoyed Astrid’s connection with Carly and son Tyler, and that of Angela with her piano student, Brian.

The overall theme of Colors of Christmas is best reflected in Martin’s words reminding us that it’s all about remembering to go to Bethlehem … “not to dwell on what we have lost but on what God has given.”

If you’re trying to decide what Christmas-themed books to try this season, I encourage you to pick up Colors of Christmas. Highly recommended.

Many stories (both books and films) set in the holiday season have a focus on being up beat. However, this is a time of year when many people struggle.

In this title, Ms. Newport does a wonderful job of showing characters who are struggling with Christmas. They find that there is hope even when life seems dark. And, that is one of the meanings of Christmas.

My only complaint is that after developing the characters and plot the stories came to an end too soon for me.

I wasn’t sure what I expected when I picked up this book. I knew it wouldn’t be the normal sweet everything is love and light during the holidays book that many centered around Christmas usually are. I actually appreciated the author’s note at the beginning where she talks about the fact that for many, Christmas also signifies the line between the first time without vs the last time with. You generally don’t know it’s the last time until it’s over. I would assume that if people were honest that the holidays are more about the memory of what has been lost than a true embracing of the season as love and light. Christmas can be hard.

Another thing I really appreciated with these two stories is that they don’t try to be bigger than they are. They aren’t trying to be a full-length novel with a full slate of time. That is the one thing that frustrates me more than all the others with novellas. Sometimes just being a snapshot, a moment, is enough. I also appreciated that they didn’t rely on finding happiness again and romance and all those things. They were about two people in two very different situations just making it through, finding a way to make the best of their situation, and living life. They had histories and futures but they also had a moment.

Astrid’s ‘Christmas in Gold’ was a story of so much loss. Loss of her home, loss of her freedom, loss of her mobility. She had so much to gain with new friendships, new ways to view her world, and new ways to find her independence. This story set me a tidbit sideways due to the lack of adequate back story with Carly. It came later but took me a bit to get into the switching view points. I LOVED the way Newport wove in the stories of Astrid’s past in WWII Germany to the current day with the ever-present theme of Gold. This story is truly about making the best of any situation and working through the despair you might feel to find the positive of love and light.

Angela’s ‘Christmas in Blue’ was so very different from Astrid’s story. She had long since grieved her husband but now she was grieving her bestie. Her bestie who lived and breathed Christmas. If it was also revealed that Carole was an avid reader, possibly even a reviewer, I would replace her name with Kristin. And put myself in Angela’s shoes. I loved the theme of Blue in this story. I kept hearing ‘Blue Blue Christmas’ by Elvis Presley in my mind while I was reading this. The hard part for me with this story is the way the character changes took place and the side-ways way the ‘visitor’ to town was brought in and then treated as though I should have known who he was all along. I felt, even as he was brought to light, that I was somehow dense and still missing something. One thing that truly stood out was the service the church had on the longest night of the year to help people with their own Blue Christmas. The idea that it’s not always love and light but loss and isolation. That hope comes with comfort and overcoming. Angela needed to embrace her Blue Christmas. The community needed it. Embracing it hopefully leads to healing. And compassion for one another. And healing from the hurts.

Whether you have experienced a Gold Christmas with memories of what was or a Blue Christmas of finding comfort and hope in the holiday season, this book has something to offer every reader. It was written with grace and compassion. It was written as a snapshot of two lives at two different stages of life. And, in my opinion, it has something that would benefit every person who chose to wrap themselves into the pages for a moment during this holiday season.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit, NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

First story in this book, Christmas in Gold was just an amazing book, and was very inspiring. The second story Christmas in Blue was very good. I loved them both!!

I don't know whether I am more disappointed in myself or this book, because man, I just couldn't get into it. It was boring and as a true lover of Christmas and the real meaning of Christmas, I find myself totally disappointed. The thing is, there is no depth or interest in this book. It reads like a recipe, but without interesting ingredients. So instead of building on itself and creating a plot that is deep and moving, it offers little to that would make someone feel anything at all -- aside from boredom. -- and that is just such a shame when there is so much nostalgia and sentiment to draw from the readers. Sigh. Here's to hoping something better comes along.

Christmas in Gold was a true-to-life story of growing old gracefully and sharing of faith. Christmas in Blue was about losing someone to cancer during the Christmas holiday. Both are touching insightful stories of love, loss, friendship and hope.

I love Christmas, and this book will certainly help readers get in the spirit. Colors of Christmas is composed of two sweet novellas—each quite different, but both heartfelt and endearing. In Christmas in Gold elderly Astrid, who survived Nazi Germany, must adjust to life in assisted living. She maneuvers new relationships, including one with her physical therapist, who has needs of her own. In Christmas in Blue Angela also deals with loss as she grieves for her close friend, who had chaired the city’s Christmas to Remember celebration each year. How can Angela pull it off in her absence? The story evoked tears at touching moments. In each of these, the characters are well-developed and the plot realistic. Special surprises add delight as the scenes unfold. I recommend this newest book by Olivia Newport. It will help you recapture the real meaning of the season. All opinions are my own.

I had lots of trouble following Christmas in Gold.
Astrid is force to move out of her home into a home for the elderly. She  can't find her 3 gold ornaments from Germany. She meets Carly her physical therapist and knows something is wrong in Carly's life.
Christmas In Blue
Angela is grieving  the death of her best friend who years earlier helped her through her husbands death.. Angela has inherited Carole's dog named Blitzen and the planning of the town's Christmas celebration, a job she definitely does not want.  She just wants the holiday over with.
These stories teach us that Christmas is a time of hope and love,
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

I loved Colors of Christmas for a rather odd reason. It wasn't a Christmas romance! I don't know if I've ever read a Christmas book that didn't have some kind of romance. Why is that? There definitely should be more books like this. I mean, there is a backstory there but no current romance and I'm more than okay with that!

I also loved that in Christmas in Gold , the main character is in her eighties! Astrid is an older woman who has transitioned from her home to an assisted living center. I often feel that the older generation is overlooked by authors so I found Astrid's story to be refreshing.

Christmas in Blue took more for me to get into for some reason. I wasn't connecting with Angela at first and felt her story started off a bit slow. However, once it picked up I really enjoyed her part in this book. Angela is mourning the loss of her close friend and letting it rob her of her Christmas joy. How many of us have been hurt and dread the holidays because of a heartbreaking loss? I know many of us have been there.

The author was able to tell a story without using romance as a crutch and while I sound like a broken record about it—I found it to be a nice change of pace. I have nothing against romance but I loved that these women found joy in life and didn't need a man to give them that. I mean, after all, if we need a person to give us joy—aren't they going to let us down?

This book told a heartwarming tale of Christmas joy. While some of Angela's woes seemed so outlandish to me—it did lend a near comedic air. And while Astrid's life wasn't always the happiest she made the best of things.

Overall, I'd give this story a good solid five because I would love to pick this book up again. I am definitely considering reading it once more before the Christmas season.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Celebrate Lit, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed both of these books. They were different but very well written. The first one was an older woman toward the end of her life reminiscing about her Christmas in Nazi germany as a child. It tied in with the changes she currently was going through during the Christmas season.
The second one was a refreshing attempt to recreate the Christmas traditions of town after being “dumped” in her lap. Angela is left with things out on control and seeing things don’t always have to be traditional. Very sweet ending