Tag: Christmas novella

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A Christmas in the Alps, by Melody Carlson, 2021, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

A treasure hunt in a village in the French Alps

A treasure hunt in a village in the French Alps. Simone Sophia bears the name of her great grandmother, and apparently has inherited a treasure from her.A treasure hunt in a village in the French Alps.

Could this be true? It seems highly unlikely, but Simone’s best friend urges her to find out. Simone, still single in her thirties, started out in an uninspiring career as a dental assistant, then for the last several years has been her grandmother’s caregiver. Now her grandmother has passed away, and Simone, basically bored with her life in California, wonders what’s next in store.

Her pushy best friend books a flight for Simone to go meet her estranged relatives in France. The thought of a snowy Christmas in the alps sounds appealing, but she’s terrified of flying. Also not too interested in these relatives who have never been in contact with her. However, she reluctantly allows her friend to make the arrangements.

Can she overcome her fears?

Will the change of scene turn out to be what she needs? Or will she succumb to full-blown panic mid-air over the Atlantic ocean? On the plane she meets a kind clockmaker, and the story goes on from there. You’ll have to read it to find out what happens, and whether she finds the treasure.

A treasure hunt in a village in the French Alps. Beautifully written. Makes me want to spend a winter there, maybe have a tour of the old-fashioned hand-made clock factory. Take a train-ride through the Alps. See Paris lit up for Christmas. Sounds dreamy and romantic to me. Thanks for the lovely virtual trip, Melody. And for the deeper themes too, of family, forgiveness, and making amends.

Thanks to Revell for sending me a lovely hard cover copy of this novella in order that I might read it and write my honest review. I’m glad I chose A Christmas in the Alps.

Learn more about Melody Carlson and her books at MelodyCarlson.com.

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A Simple Christmas Wish, by Melody Carlson, 2013, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Rachel is a city gal, a flight attendant who has traveled the world, and the aunt of a sweet little girl who she is caring for while her brother and his wife are away celebrating their tenth anniversary. Christmas is coming and the two of them have their own fun in their own way while Holly’s parents are away, putting up a Christmas tree that Rachel knows Holly’s mother would not have chosen. Suddenly there is a phone call with shocking news. A plane has gone down and Holly’s parents have not survived. In that instant their lives are changed forever. But just as Rachel begins to wrap her mind around being Holly’s permanent caregiver, which she is actually truly enjoying, she receives another call informing her that there is another aunt on the mother’s side of the family who is to have custody. Neither Rachel nor Holly have ever met this aunt or any of the other relatives of Holly’s mother, who live in an Amish community. What should Rachel do? She seems to have no choice in the matter. She decides to take Holly there herself and meet the people who Holly is supposed to live with. This book is a nice light read and an interesting way to learn about the Amish way of life from the viewpoints of these two main characters who knew nothing about it before being plunged into Holly’s new family.  In some ways they find it quite likeable, this tightly-knit family farming community. But will Holly really have to stay here permanently, away from everything and everyone she has known up till now?  And what about Rachel?  Holly is her only family and at 35 years old she fears she may never have children of her own. There is an element of mystery as to what made Holly’s mother leave the community to begin with and an element of romance when Rachel meets Holly’s uncle.  A range of emotions are experienced with all the changes being encountered.  How does each character handle their new relationships?  What is attributed to the Amish protocol and what is due to personality traits of the people in Holly’s new family?  You’ll have to read it yourself to find out. www.revellbooks.com
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The Christmas Blessing, by Melody Carlson, 2017, Revell, (Baker Publishing Group)

This is the third Christmas novella by Melody Carlson that I’ve read this season, I’m enjoying them so much! So glad my church library has a good stock of them!

The Christmas Blessing

It’s 1944. Amelia Richards and her newborn son are setting out to make an attempt at becoming part of his father’s family in another state. Shortly after little Jimmy was conceived his father’s plane had gone down over the Pacific Ocean. Amelia doesn’t know whether he has even had a chance to tell his family about her, as theirs had been a whirlwind romance.

They had met in San Diego at a New Years Eve dance for the service men where she was a hostess, and had fallen madly in love. Now she is alone in the world with his son. Will his family accept them? She is unprepared for the cold Montana weather and has never actually seen snow. Mixed emotions of hope and trepidation swirl around in her mind as she looks for James’s family.

But then things get worse and Amelia finds herself in dire straits. What will she do? She must take a risk and hope for the best. What will be the outcome?

Amelia is a courageous character. She doesn’t know what to expect in James’s parents. What will they be like? The author has done a good job of bringing out the personalities of each character, which is what really makes this story. They are not perfect people but they do hope in God and have care and kindness in their hearts.

This is an intriguing story and I’m looking forward to reading one more of Melody Carlson’s Christmas novellas this week during the holidays.