I definitely enjoyed Christmas in Gold much better than Christmas in Blue. Although, I did feel that the short story Christmas in Gold wasn't finished. I was actually a bit confused as to who the new people were that suddenly showed up and how they connected to what I had been reading from the beginning. I had no idea I had "switched" stories until a few chapters into Christmas in Blue. I love to read Christmas stories, but this one is not one I cared much for overall. I was into "Gold", but when I realized that story was over, I was quite disappointed. Because of my confusion, and not realizing I had started the second story, I never quite connected with "Blue". If reading my review has you puzzled, that's how I felt in reading the book!

How wonderful to read these two stories that deal with feelings of loss, at a season when everyone else seems to be celebrating.
I could relate to both of these stories, having lost children, husband, friends.
It made me smile to see how each person navigated the landscape of joy in their sorrow and found their way back to Joy.
Two unique Christmas stories well worth the reading!

Colors of Christmas is two tales set during the holiday season. Each tells a different tale with resounding voices.
Christmas in Blue shows us Angela. She has lost her best friend, Carol. Looking to get through the season on autopilot, Angela is not ready to be in charge of the town's celebration ceremony. Deciding to do the least amount possible, she soon changes her mind when a mysterious stranger comes to town.
Christmas in Gold shows us Astrid. By the age of 20 she had survived war, moving across the world and her first husband's loss. Widowed a 40 for the second time, Astrid forges a new life for her and her two children.. Age 80 finds her moved to an assisted living facility. She befriends a young single mother on the edge of despair. Will her life memories help?
Both stories bring times of laughter and times of tears. I received a copy through Netgalley. The review was not a requirement.

I saw such a beautiful cover for this book then I saw it was one of my favorite authors. She writes such lovely historical and Amish fiction books. I have enjoyed all I've read by her. Olivia Newport is such a versatile author, she seamlessly has now authored a beautifully written contemporary fictional Christmas book. It was heartwarming and though in both stories there was adversity to overcome the spirit of Christmas was prevalent as people banded together to help each other. The first story was a bit of a time slip as well as the older main character reminisces of childhood Christmas times. 2 short Christmas stories I enjoyed immensely!
Pub Date 01 Oct 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Two inspiring stories both featuring older women coping with change, grief and loss over the holiday season.

Colors of Christmas contains two separate novellas. Christmas in Gold is a story of Astrid as she faces changes in her life because of aging and memories of her childhood in Germany during the war. Astrid was a strong leading character. Christmas in Blue is the story of Angela who faces the first Christmas without her friend Carole who celebrated Christmas in a big way! This story contains many scriptures from the biblical Christmas story. Angela forms new relationships to bring her peace and happiness. I received a complimentary e-book from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Delivering a strong, yet gentle, message of faith and hope, this book is comprised of two novellas about love, loss, and triumph.

You will be sure to get into the Christmas mood by reading Colors of Christmas: Two Contemporary Stories Celebrate the Hope of Christmas. Each modern day story has elements of sadness, hope, loss, suspense and redemption.
I enjoyed both stories, but felt that both could have been better if fleshed out into full novels. Each ended abruptly and all the loose ends were tied with a Christmas bow.
I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

I really enjoyed the first story. It was really sweet and put me in the Christmas spirit with the gorgeous Christmas decorations and Astrid’s love and care for everyone around her. It still amazes me how some people who suffer the most, have the strongest faith. I was inspired by Astrid’s story and got goose bumps more than once.
I also enjoyed Carly’s story and her determination to protect her son and mother. I admire her strength and her resolve.

The second story… Angela seems spoiled and ungrateful. Her students give her gifts for Christmas and she complains about them and never even uses them. It seems heartless. I understand she is heartbroken over the loss of her best friend, but apparently this isn’t a new thing for her. I was turned off from this story right off the bat. I just couldn’t get into this story and was incredibly disappointed.

Overall, I enjoyed the first story but the second felt like a waste of my time.

Two cozy Christmas stories. Just the stories to get me in the holiday spirit.
Will leave review on Amazon under name of Connie

Colors of Christmas is two stories. Each good in its own way. A lot of flashbacks in the first story which I did not particularly care for. But I guess that is the way the author set the story. All in all a good read.

Don't waste your time on this book. These are two separate stories and they really have no ending and they are both unfinished. The first story had me wrapped around it like there was not tomorrow but huge let down at the end. Nothing was fleshed out, major loose ends and I just about gave up after that. Then the second story made the main charater into a 20-30 year old somebody but after you keep reading she is in her 60's and acting like she is 3. I have never read anything by this author before but I won't again.

Christmas is a time of joy but at some point in everyone's life, it is a time of remembering happier times especially after a change of circumstances. It can be a sad time after the passing of a loved one or ending of a relationship. Olivia Newport has written two stories of people who are at such a time in their lives where this time of change and loss has made this first Christmas a little different for them.
But yet hope remains in the spirit of the Christmas season, a time to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, Savior of the world.
Christmas In Gold is the story of Astrid, an eighty plus year old woman of independence living alone in her own large home. She is used to having her family visit her in her home at Christmas but this year is different. She took a fall down her stairs and broke her ankle and lower leg. Her children have decided it is time for her to move to a retirement and it is just before Christmas. Reluctantly, she agreed. Her physical therapist, Carly, is a troubled young woman that she feels drawn to help as she adjusts to her new life if only Carly will allow her. Astrid shares the story of her life growing up in Germany during Hitler's regime--how hard it was on her and her family. After moving to the US with her first husband and his passing, she lived through the loss of her second husband. Yet, her faith has kept her focus on God. Even this year of change, there is hope that she wants to share with Carly.
In Christmas In Blue, we meet Angela, who is mourning for the loss of her best friend, Carole. Angela is a piano teacher, choir director and organist at her church. Her husband died twenty five years ago and Carole helped her deal with her loss. Carole was a lover of Christmas and organized a festival in their small town. Angela wants Christmas to come and go with very little participation on her part but that is not the case when the committee for the town festivities dumps the event into her lap to organize and make happen. Problems occur at every corner. Nothing is going right and Angela can't see a solution to the problem but help comes from any unexpected source. This is another story of hope and faith during the season of Christmas.
Olivia Newport has written this collection that is a wonderful reminder of why we celebrate Christmas even when circumstances are different or we have disappointments beyond our control. It is a great read anytime but especially during the holiday season.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

These two short stories will put a smile on your face by the end and will remind you what the Christmas season is about. I love how in Christmas in Gold gave us another view point about a time when things weren't happy and about the hope and faith that was held onto even in the dark times. I would love to see a follow up to this book to see how things played out down the road.
In Christmas in Blue, we have a story about trials, faith, understanding. And how with just a little faith and help in the most unusual ways beautiful and peaceful things can happen. Sometimes the people we think doesn't like us much are a biggest help. And that going away from the beaten path can be for the best.

Two very inspiring novels of having faith during the difficult times life can throw our way. The message that the Lord will see you through trials and tribulations if you give it to me is especially needed at Christmas when so many suffer from depression and the world seems to be falling in around them.

In Colors of Christmas we meet Astrid on the day her son moves her into the Assisted Living facility after a nasty fall resulting in her breaking her foot. Astrid accepts the move but is not letting that slow her down. She befriends her physical therapist, Carly, who is going through a particular hard time. As Astrid tells her story from growing up in WWII, to moving to America as a new bride not able to speak the language and two unexpected deaths she helps Carly find the strength to overcome her situation. I would like to hope we all have a little of Astrid in us when the going gets tough.

Christmas in Blue introduces us to Angela, a middle age widow, who is dealing with the loss of her best friend, Carole. The town has decided she is the perfect replacement for Carole who was the leader of the town's Christmas celebration, A Christmas to Remember. All Angela wants to do is lock the door for next ten days and be on the other side of Christmas. As Angela deals with one problem after another she learns how strong she really is and how a town can come together to help one through a time of grief if you let them.

This is the perfect book to read to get you in the holiday spirit while keeping the true meaning of Christmas in the forefront. I see this as a book I will be buying and handing out as presents.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing Inc./Shiloh Run Press for an advance copy in exchange for my review in my own, honest words.

COLORS OF CHRISTMAS by Olivia Newport. Celebrating the Hope of Christmas
The oddest things provoke the deepest buried memories. Astrid now past eighty, having to make changes. Alex and Ingrid wanted her safe, and happy, and now in an assisted living place. Carly was a therapist, an unwelcome suiter has made her change jobs and always looking over her shoulder. .She was assigned to Astrid, and a lot of work would be involved. Carly was afraid to open up to people, until Astrid, and always asking questions about her son. Christmas season and the meaning of hope and love, finally got her and her son Tyler to open up. A beautiful story of how there is still meaning in one's life even if one is elderly. The wisdom to give a new life of hope and love to Carly. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion. By Net Galley

Two stories about coping during Christmas. These are not the typical light-hearted feel good holiday stories. In each story the main character is dealing with losses and changes. The focus on faith to get through life stands out. These both are special Christmas stories. Highly recommended!

When I saw that Olivia Newport had written this book, at first I assumed it was Amish fiction, but I was surprised that it wasn't. There are two novellas in this book and they are delightful stories.

Christmas in Gold describes Astrid's life under the Nazi regime. She's telling her story to a young woman who is just at the edge of despair. By revealing all the secrets, she's giving hope to the young woman.

Christmas in Blue details Angela's life after she's been given the responsibility for arranging the Christmas festival for her town. Angela really resents being handed this responsibility because it belonged to her best friend who passed away in the spring. A stranger shows up in town that no one seems to know, but he's got the ideas for the festival and helps Angela make it work with the scant supplies she has.

Both of these narratives encompass every aspect of hope that the Christmas season brings. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and Golden ornaments with Blue lights.

My thanks to Shiloh Run Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was not what I expected. Not a couple of light-hearted, warm and tingly Christmas stories. So for those looking for more fluff, less grounding in their holiday fare, this may not be for you. Instead these focused on the very real fact that for some, depending on what's going on in their lives, the holiday can be bleak, lonely, and seem utterly devoid of hope. Even the most faithful of believers can waver at times as they walk through difficult circumstances in their lives. While hope and faith were restored here, it was the journey there that provided a great lesson. Straight forward writing, from the heart. Uplifting in the end.

Colors of Christmas, by Olivia Newport, is actually two novellas set during the Christmas holiday season. Both are inspirational tales of sad and difficult times during the holidays, the ways we handle those difficulties, and the truly transformational meaning of Christmas.

The first book: Christmas in Gold, is the story of Astrid and Carly. Astrid, who survived Nazi Germany, came to America soon after the way, and now, just weeks before Christmas, had to move to an assisted living facility. Astrid is devastated, thinking the gold ornaments that she and her father salvaged from the ruins of his apothecary, and used every year since, may have been lost in her move to "the home".

Carly is a physical therapist at Astrid's new residence. She has moved and changed jobs repeatedly while running from a stalker who always seems to find her. Astrid's faith and their developing friendship bring safety and joy to both, and to their families, as well.

The second book, Blue Christmas, is the story of Angela, a widowed piano teacher whose best friend, Carole, died recently; Brian, one of Angela's students; and Gabe, Carole's nephew and only heir.

Angela wants nothing more than for Christmas to pass unnoticed, and be over. She is frustrated and angry when her friends at church railroad her into chairing the committee to decorate the town's public places and storefronts, and to plan the town's annual Christmas celebration. My questions: why is a private citizen doing this? Shouldn't this be the responsibility and expense of the city, and not of one church and its members?

Already angry that the notice of her appointed status on the committee, less than two weeks before Christmas, Angela finds that the church basement where the town's decorations are stored has flooded. The decorations are ruined, and it is her responsibility to secure new ones. Enter Gabe and Brian.

The only decorations available at this late date are blue. This year's town celebration will be different, and Angela fears everyone will be disappointed -- it is a huge success.

Meanwhile, Gabe convinces Angela to attend a Blue Christmas church service held four nights before Christmas, on the longest night of the year. At this service, grief is recognized and accepted, and those who are grieving are comforted and supported. Attendees are not expected to paste a smile or cheerful look on their faces, and may remain in the sanctuary as long as they want.

Each of these stories were both happy and sad. They were also heartwarming and comforting, even joyful. If you are grieving or depressed at Christmas time, you may gain comfort from these lovely stories.

What Makes This Book Reviewer Grumpy?

Split infinitives ("to quietly insist" vs. "to insist quietly")
Beginning a sentence with a conjunction (and, but)
The repeated improper placement of the word only (it changes the intended meaning of the sentence)

Look for me online as The Grumpy Book Reviewer.