I loved everything about this book. The descriptions of Emerald Crest, the Christmas Traditions. Sweet little Julia who is more mature than her eleven year old self, helps Mr. Lafferty a deaf recluse with a big giving heart.

Told through the eyes of a child. This novella is a sweet non romance Christmas story that will renew your faith in humanity and show a bit of heartwarming compassion we all could use more of.

I adored this book. It was sweet and innocent. It had a Hallmark movie feel without romance, which for me was a nice surprise. I liked the generational story line. I hope to read more by Phyllis Clark Nichols.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A huge thank you to the author, Gilead Publishing and JustRead Blog Tours!*

This book was so sweet! Going into this story, I thought I had an idea how this book would go. While it sort of did, Silent Days, Holy Night ended up being so much more than I anticipated!

I absolutely loved all the characters in this novel! Julia is so sweet and sassy and I just adored her. I love how determined she was about everything. Mr. Lafferty was the sweetest little cinnamon roll and, just like Julia, I wish I had him as a friend.

Silent Days, Holy Night was so well written, too! The writing was so comfortable to read, if that makes sense. It was just the perfect book to read, curled up on the couch with soft Christmas music playing in the background.

This book made me laugh and it also made me shed a few tears. It is one that I will not soon be forgetting! It also made me really want to start studying sign language again.

Silent Days, Holy Night is about loving others, friendships and embracing our differences. This book is filled with the Christmas spirit, and it was honestly such an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet and heartwarming read this holiday season.

First off, Julia is what I would call an old soul…she’s eleven but has the maturity of a forty-year-old most of the time. It’s only when she asks questions that her youth is fully expressed, but sometimes, the questions she asks are well beyond an eleven-year-old.

I loved the details in the book. Everything from Christmas traditions to the descriptions of Emerald Crest were well-planned and written in a way that help you see the world changing around you. We learn about Mr. Lafferty gradually, gaining little tidbits of information at key points so that we slowly learn who he truly is.

This is my first book of Phyllis Clark Nichols so I had no idea what to expect. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve been reading so much romance lately, and Silent Days, Holy Night was a refreshing breeze of clarity with the friendship between one young girl and an old man whom she is determined to befriend.

One person really can change the world. One little girl can bring happiness to a reclusive old man who loves to give but has never had anyone give back. The world needs more Henrys and Julias…more people willing to give of their time and their love for the simple joy of it without expecting anything in return.

The book starts with Julia as an adult. Rather quickly, the clock rolls back and we go back to the day Julia first met Mr. Lafferty. The story progresses from there, from Julia wanting to learn sign language so she can communicate with Mr. Lafferty (whom she dubs H) to her planning a surprise party as a thank-you for everything H has done through the years.

Julia’s grandmother talks about moments, that instant in time when something happens that will alter the course of your life forever. We will all have those moments, whether they are good or bad, they will alter us…change us. Some of these moments will be of our own choosing, some might not. The important thing to remember is that God is with us through everything.

I would recommend this book for anyone who might be looking for a non-romancy, sweet Christmas read. It is well worth your time.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is one that embodies what the Christmas spirit should be in each of our lives. Love, acceptance, giving, friendship, family, and so, so much more.

Young Julia Russell is full of curiosity, gumption, and questions—lots and lots of questions. The moment she meets Henry Lafferty is one that defines her young life. Everything about this man is interesting and she longs to know more. She’s not deterred by his deafness or the age/generation gap. Henry has a story and Julia wants to learn it.

As Julia and Henry (or H as she thinks of him) form an unlikely friendship that is defined by an ability to communicate with each other beyond mere words. That friendship teaches Julia about herself and life at a young age: Kindness comes from the heart. There is good in everyone and everyone needs a friend. With a little effort, a can’t can be turned into a can.

Phyllis Clark Nichols gives readers a Christmas story to warm hearts and expand minds. It only takes one person to make someone else’s life better—and that often has a ripple effect into other lives. You definitely don’t want to miss this story.

I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. 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.

Great book! Julia is a remark young lady, her persistent in friending Mr.Lafferty
Was remarkable. Definitely a must read! Thank you to NetGallery and Gilead Publishing for providing me with a copy of Silent Days, Holy Night in exchange for my honest opinion, which is that this is a wonderful holiday story. I was under no obligation to write a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

This new-to-me author hit this one out of the ball park. Making the central character a smart, caring, warm-hearted child can't be beat. Julia's father is the lawyer for the town hermit who lives in a huge Emerald Mansion on the outskirts of town. The kids at school are always telling stories about ghosts, caves, and spooky things that supposedly go on at the mansion. When she has a chance to meet, Mr. Henry Lafferty and discovers his fascination with birds, his beautiful wood carvings, and his deafness and physical disability that keeps him bound to a wheelchair, a whole new world opens as she connects with his loves and her loves; and, in turn, opens a whole new world to him.

Julia's love of learning and curiosity bubble through this entire book. The connection between her and Mr. H and all she learns from him as well as the warmth and caring she shows for him make this a perfect Christmas read and show the spirit of Christmas through a child's eyes. Definitely a must read Christmas book to fill your season with joy, love, and hope.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gilead Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Henry Lafferty the Second, aka HL2, aka H, was born deaf. When he was still a young boy, an accident put him in a wheelchair, never to walk again. Now close to sixty, he has spent the majority of his life in seclusion and silence. Despite the isolation he has experienced, he cared deeply for the people in the town. In addition to being a voracious reader and exquisite carver of birds, he has a special, secret talent.

Enter Julia. This precocious young girl had a bigger heart than most. When she tags along with her attorney father as he meets with his client, Mr. Lafferty, she is immediately drawn to him. She discovers that he is able to experience the music from the piano as she plays and that he recognizes the song. Realizing also that she can communicate with him if she learns sign language, she insinuates herself into his life, and his heart.

There is so much to love about this special book! I can't bring myself to call it heartwarming because that seems insufficient to describe the deep love that Julia and Mr. Lafferty develop for one another and the richness of this story of friendship and trust.

There is a mystery as windows of the mansion are broken by an unknown source and search and rescue mission that has to be executed.

In the world of the deaf, a sign name is something special. It is given to one by a deaf person an embodies much more than just a name. Parts of personality shine through. The sign name given to Henry by his mother spoke to me of her love for him. The sign name he gave to Julia was not only a great honor, it was absolutely perfect for her. I can only hope that if I were ever given one, it would be similar.

Many stories that have "Christmas" in the name or that are marketed as Christmas stories fall far short of that title in my opinion. Silent Days, Holy Night embodies everything a Christmas story should be. It is a story of friendship, of sacrifice, of giving of one's self and speaks of the great love that God had for us that He sent us His son so He might lead us to a relationship with Him.

This is now the second book by this author that I have read (in just a few months even). I am now more convinced than ever that I need to read everything that she writes!!

If you are looking for a story that is truly a Christmas story, I strongly encourage you to read this!

Silent Days, Holy Night by Phyllis Clark Nichols is the most delightful heart-warming Christian tale that will ignite a flame in every heart. It is a tale about “a man whose heart pumps goodness” and a little girl whose heart explodes with care and compassion.
The novel shows that age is no barrier to friendship nor is gender or disability. The lead characters use sign language as one is deaf, and also in a wheelchair but lives life to the full as he quietly makes a difference in the lives of others.
Loss of hearing does not mean that a song cannot be felt. Songs can be enjoyed using other senses.
The novel is told in the first person enabling the reader to experience the tale through the eyes of a child. This reminds the reader that the world can be approached with a child-like faith and wonder. This delightful child is wise beyond her years and full of compassion for the world around her.
The novel shows that where there are needs, they are met, quietly and secretly. This reminds the reader of Jesus’ words to do our good deeds in secret so that only our heavenly Father sees what we do.
Eleven year old Julia is a real live wire. She is open, caring and very knowledgeable. I really loved her. I loved that she noticed the world about her and set out to make it a better place.
People fear the different. Ignorance and fear may motivate actions for evil. We need to be open and kind to all those who are journeying through life.
Faith is important. “Grancie prayed like God was right there in the front seat.” God walks beside us through life. We should live our lives with this in mind.
Christmas is a season of goodwill where hearts and minds can be changed.
I adore Phyllis Clark Nichols writings. She always leaves me smiling and wanting more. Her stories are not just warm, fuzzy tales but have life lessons for us all to learn as faith is lived out. We see love in action.
Just wonderful.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

We all dream of the Christmas holiday where we can just sit with family by the warm fire,chat,eat some Christmas delicacies and just relax with soft Christmas music playing in the background. Unfortunately for many of us as much as we want it, it's just a dream. The holidays are one of the busiest and most hectic times of the year. But I encourage you to slow down for just a bit in your holiday preparations and read this book . It's novella length and a quick read so enjoy and really reflect on what the season is about. This book is so heartwarming and full of compassion and the story is told through the eyes of a child. A wonderful must read Christmas book you'll want to read every year! I really enjoyed seeing the recipes in the back of the book and can't wait to try the iced pumpkin cookies!

I was captivated by and I lost my heart to this curious ten-year-old girl named Julia; who made me smile at all the questions she asked her father and the people she met. I enjoyed her eagerness to learn and be friends with Mr. Lafferty. I loved how the author had the reader enter Henry Lafferty’s world through Julia’s eyes. I was just as interested in how Mr. Lafferty communicates, carves birds, how he loves hearing her play the piano and discovers his hidden gift he doesn’t share with anyone.

This story reminded me a little of the Disney movie Pollyanna as Julia didn’t know a stranger. Grin! She loved people and the world around her. She was not afraid to ask questions that helped her understand how things work. She showed love and kindness beyond her years. Her grand-parents say she was born a 40-year-old. LOL!

The topics dealt with are growing up, reaching out to people who are different, it’s not scary, respecting their differences and back grounds and getting a common ground to grow a relationship from. Being selfless and giving. Letting God work as he does.

I liked Julia’s understanding of God and watching this 10-year-old walk out what God says in His word to do. I also enjoyed her prays. Some of them were funny. Kind of like knowing she is doing wrong and asks God for forgiveness after the fact. But that’s how 10-year-old's think. I loved her honesty, and desire to do the right thing.

Here’s a peek at what I’m talking about her prayers and questioning nature, She had asked her Dad several questions before this one,“Julia tries to get out of going with her father to meet Mr. Lafferty. “….Why do we have to pick Mrs. Walker up? And tell me why this trip won’t be bo-ring?”

“Julia Russell, with your gift for asking questions, I’m positive you’ll be the fourth generation of attorney’s in his family.”

They get to Henry Lafferty’s house and she asks to go to the rest room. Along the way she spies a piano. Her eyes hone-in-on the keys. They are not the white plastic ones, she played on but real ivory keys. She imagines what it would be like to play that piano. She prays, “Now, Jesus, please forgive me for what I’m about to do, but I may never get this chance again. And I really don’t think you’d want me to miss it.”

She uses the soft pedal and starts to play the piano. It’s a game changer. Mr Henry Lafferty wheels his way into the parlor and asks her to play that song again. Julia is astounded a deaf man could enjoy the song.
It had an ending to cheer for kind of like the ending of It’s a Wonderful Life. It squeezes your heart, brings tears to your eyes and makes you smile through and her creativity.

There’s a fun treat for readers at the end as the author includes the recipes for Grancie’s Pound-Cake Cookies and Grancie’s Iced Pumpkin Cookies she mentions often in the story. I’m reading this right after Thanksgiving. It was fun to be in the Christmas celebrating season at the same time as Julia. I look forward to making them and sharing them with my family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-issues-book-fun-mag

Nichols’ latest is a good addition to your holiday reading list. The author has an easy flow to her writing that pulls the reader in. I enjoyed the “fun facts” included in the story (such as detailed descriptions of birds and information on the full moon). The pace is steady, and a bit too slow, at times, but it does balance out in the end. It’s always a nice addition to have a recipe, or two, included at the end of a story 😊 (I look forward to trying Grancie’s Pound-Cake Cookies and Grancie’s Iced Pumpkin Cookies!) I also liked how music was a key component in the story, as well as the reminder to not be too quick to judge and to look for the good in others.

Parts of the book had a more historical vs. contemporary feel to me. The cover had me expecting more of a romance, which wasn’t the case. (Not that that’s a bad thing.). At times, the younger Julia felt a bit too perfect. The Christian angle was neatly woven in. Due to the fact that a large portion of the story is told from a ten-year old’s perspective, this could be read and enjoyed by readers other than adults.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Lovely christmas story to get you in the mood for the festivities. Lovely story which warmed my heart, great writing style

Silent Days, Holy Night is a book that will definitely tug on your heart strings. The main character Julia, is a little imp and she forms and extraordinary bond with a differentially abled man who lives in the house atop the hill. As the story unfolds, Julia discovers the reasons behind Mr. Lafferty's isolation and it makes her even more determined to brighten his days. Christmas is fast approaching and her opportunity to make a change is coming closer but things slowly start to go out of control.

I think Silent Days Holy Night is a perfect read as Christmas draws closer. It reminds us to look around and brighten someone else's day. Phyllis Clark Nichols captures the characters personalities so beautifully which makes the book hard to put down. I don't often say this but it is a book that I could read over and over again!

Snuggle up in a chair with your tea or cocoa and immerse yourself in a Christmas book that combines a touch of mystery with an abundance of good will and cheer.

My Thoughts:

I just wanted to keep reading this. It's written from the perspective of an eleven year old girl with a very big vocabulary and a very big heart. Sometimes as adults we don't really see what is going on around us. We're too busy with the business of life. Sometimes a child, an elderly person, or, if we take time to truly observe and listen, even we ourselves can see real needs for kindness, love, attention, time.

Last year, I read Christmas at Grey Sage. It was a balm to my soul during a difficult time of my life. I didn't want it to end. The characters just drew me into the story in such a way that I wanted to know what happened next and next and next. Silent Days, Holy Night is just like that. The Russell family is a giving, loving family, that has taught service and caring by example. It's what I've tried to do with my children as well.

This is a book that captures the spirit of Christmas—kindness, friendship, and the love of Christ. I highly recommend this book.

#SilentDaysHolyNight #NetGalley

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this access to this e-book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A beautifully written Christmas tale. I loved the plot! I enjoyed the author’s writing and look forward to reading more of her books. I highly recommend this inspirational book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my eARC. This is my unbiased review.

This is a poignant tale of a young girl finding the path of her life changing at the young age of eleven. He lives in the old mansion Emerald Crest. Lavish parties were once part of this buildings history. When the mansion falls silent, whispers about the inhabitant at the mansion run rampant. Julia wants to find out what happened. She steps foot in the castle to find out the man who lives there in deaf and in a wheelchair. However, he is also one of the most extraordinary men she has met. Wanting to bring an end to the rumors, Julia vows to make Emerald Crest lively again.
This is story of forgiveness, selflessness, and not giving up. I couldn't stop changing the pages to see what would be the outcome. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required

A book that resonates the Christmas spirit of love and kindness. Julia, as a young girl of ten meets the town "orge", only he's not what people think. He's the town's secret benefactor and a very generous one. This novel is about sweet memories of the past as Julia, age 26, plans for a party. This will put readers in the holiday spirit.

Oh, how I loved this story, it renews your faith in humanity, and make sure you read to the end for the epilogue, it will bring tears to your eyes.
What a treat this story is, I enjoyed it from beginning to end, and wish it could have continued! This book brings a true meaning of Christmas, and the author places you right in the middle, as we walk with the main character, a precocious eleven-year-old Julia and a reclusive deaf man who has a gift of carving.
This book would make a wonderful movie, and I would be sure to watch!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gilead, and was not required to give a positive review.

A nice Christmas read but I struggled with it a bit. Firstly, the tone and style had me thinking that it was set in the 1950s. This came through the strong parental control throughout, which I don't think mirrors contemporary life, even though an attempt to bring it up to date had been made. I found the recurring issue of how much tea and coffee she consumed most odd. Obviously a highly intelligent child, but she just was too good to be true despite the little fibs.