A Quilt for Christmas - a Christmas novella by Melody Carlson

 

 Thank you to Revell for sending me this book to review.  This is a story that makes you want to read it every year.  But besides being a wonderfully , heartwarming story, they sent a hardcover!  Double win!

While I can’t say this is strictly a Christian book,  it does touch on faith and Christian attributes like grace, forgiveness, acceptance and humility.  It is decidedly “clean” and uplifting.

The characters are very believable.  While each character has their own flaws and strengths, the one I found most enjoyable was little Fiona.  In an interview, the author called her an old soul.  She displays the wisdom of innocent youth.

This story is about relationships and newly formed friendships, the struggles of personal loss and economic hardships, and overcoming hurt and disappointments. And yes, a budding romance.

The dialog flows well, making it very easy to read and follow. By the end of the story, there will be strong friendships formed, spirits uplifted, and love found.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Cuddle up with this cozy story of giving and forgiving--with a little bit of romance

Christmas should be celebrated with family, but for Vera Swanson, that's not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help.

With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera's aid, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all. And she may even find herself a new family of friends along the way.”

                This is one of those stories you will want to keep on your bookshelf and read every year.

Read an excerpt HERE 

Learn more about the author, Melody Carlson, and her other books HERE 

 

 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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.”

A Christmas in the Alps by Melody Carlson ~ a book review

 

This is a delightful novella that will put you in the Christmas mood.  It’s a heartfelt, charming story of love, acceptance and a mysterious secret set in the festive and picturesque French Alps.. 

While this is characterized as a Christian romance, it would more appropriately fit in the sweet, clean romance genre.

It took a little while for me to get drawn into the story. I was anxious to “get” to the Alps! The first quarter of the book deals with Simone cleaning out her grandmother’s house and her eventual trip to France.  Along the way she meets a clockmaker, Kyle, also traveling to France.  She is on a quest to locate her family that she never knew existed. He is hoping to apprentice at a world renowned watch factory.  They part ways and don’t expect to see each other again, but as happens in most romances, they find their way back to each other.

This is from the publisher’s web page:

" Get ready for a magical mountain holiday

After a time of heartache and loss, Simone Winthrop discovers a tantalizing letter from her French great-grandmother, which seems to suggest that Simone is heir to a family treasure. Ever practical, Simone assumes the claim is baseless, but her best friend encourages her to find out for sure. Despite her deep-rooted fear of flying, she boards a jet to travel to Paris at Christmastime to uncover the truth.

During the long flight, Simone meets the charming Kyle Larsson, who's on his way to France to become an apprentice clockmaker. Though they abruptly part ways, an unexpected rendezvous in the French Alps at Simone's family's clock factory may lead to the discovery of the family treasure . . . and so much more.”

This is a keeper for me.  I usually receive soft cover novels to review but I was surprised to open the mailer and find a hardcover!  I will pull this out and read it for many Christmases to come.

Go HERE to read an excerpt

                                  Learn more about Melody Carlson and her other books HERE 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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.”