Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson is a sweet Christmas novella. I look forward to reading this authors latest Christmas story each year and I was not disappointed with Christmas in Winter Hill. It is well-written with relatable characters in realistic situations. It moves along at a steady pace and can be finished quickly (only 164 pages). Krista Galloway is looking forward to starting over in Winter Hill. She has not had the easiest life growing up in the foster care system and the last few years have been difficult. Her daughter, Emily is looking forward to having a white Christmas and she wants a real home with a backyard. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned for the duo. Emily, though, does enjoy living in Winter Hill and makes friends right away. I enjoyed Emily's enthusiasm as she embraced all the Christmas festivities. The little girl wants her mother to love Christmas as much as she does and comes up with a plan (I just loved it). The townspeople enthusiastically embrace Christmas and their Christmasville activities. Winter Hill is a quaint town who came up with a clever way to revive their dying city. It is the tenth year for their Christmasville celebration, and they have big plans. Unfortunately, there are a few hiccups along the way. I enjoyed the subplot with Winston Palmer who is the town's grinch (bah humbug type of guy). Christmas In Winter Hill has new beginnings, a cute little girl, crime, a touch of romance and cheery Christmas festivities. The story has a good moral. We learn that we get what we need in His timing, not when we want them (it can be hard to be patient though). The ending was a delight and left me with a big smile on my face. My favorite phrase comes from Krista who said, âI like to think our troubles make us stronger.â Christmas in Winter Hill is a heartwarming, uplifting story with apartment anguish, Christmas catastrophes, elf escapades, a great giveaway, and holiday high spirits.
A trademark of Melody Carlson's prolific writing is her yearly Christmas novella and Christmas in Winter Hill is a welcome addition. This is my first Christmas-themed read of the fall and I enjoyed it very much. The small town of Winter Hill, Washington is the perfect backdrop for this uplifting story of family and community. There's a Hallmark feel to this story and I can easily see it in the future lineup of Christmas movies. That's not a criticism, by the way, for I never tire of Hallmark productions.
âIt takes a village to raise a Christmasvilleâ (Mayor Richards). A new city manager who doesn't enjoy Christmas and a town who lives for Christmas ⦠now that's a promising foundation for some interesting storytelling! Although there's a gentle romance woven throughout and the yearly Christmasville production is key, the story's main focus is on Krista and her daughter â difficulties that arise in Krista's efforts to be a good city manager and their need for a fresh start, a place to truly belong. There's a complexity to the characters and Krista's background of growing up in foster homes â some good and others not so good â give a realness to her feelings about Christmas. Krista is easy to connect with and her daughter, Emily, is precious. I loved Krista's approach to the seriousness of her job, as well as the way she brought Christmas into Emily's life in spite of her own feelings.
Christmas in Winter Hill is an easy read, fairly predictable, but that in no way lessened my enjoyment. It's a heartwarming story, with a gentle faith thread â a reminder of God's timing and the need for a childlike faith in God's goodness. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
âIt takes a village to raise a Christmasvilleâ (Mayor Richards). A new city manager who doesn't enjoy Christmas and a town who lives for Christmas ⦠now that's a promising foundation for some interesting storytelling! Although there's a gentle romance woven throughout and the yearly Christmasville production is key, the story's main focus is on Krista and her daughter â difficulties that arise in Krista's efforts to be a good city manager and their need for a fresh start, a place to truly belong. There's a complexity to the characters and Krista's background of growing up in foster homes â some good and others not so good â give a realness to her feelings about Christmas. Krista is easy to connect with and her daughter, Emily, is precious. I loved Krista's approach to the seriousness of her job, as well as the way she brought Christmas into Emily's life in spite of her own feelings.
Christmas in Winter Hill is an easy read, fairly predictable, but that in no way lessened my enjoyment. It's a heartwarming story, with a gentle faith thread â a reminder of God's timing and the need for a childlike faith in God's goodness. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Slow my beating heart! Another Melody Carlson Christmas book! I cannot even express how I look forward to each one of Ms. Carlson's new holiday books! It amazes me how she captures the spirit of the season and all character's individual perceptions.
Winter Hill looks like a fresh new start her life and her career to recently divorced Krista. Her job as a small town city manager turns out to be much more complex than she anticipated. A difficult childhood in foster care has turned Krista into a non-Christmas person. Even with her little daughter Emily she doesn't celebrate the holiday. Wouldn't you know it! Winter Hill is Christmas celebration crazy! As new city manager she is thrown directly into the hubbub of planning the big event. More serious problems are at hand as Krista finds some concerning evidence in the inner workings of the city finances.
There were so many emotions Ms. Carlson captured in her characters. For one, the excitement of town's people preparing for their giant annual celebration. It was contagious just reading it! I could picture all the food, game booths and families spending quality time together.
Not everyone has Currier and Ives Christmas memories. Pain and disappointment can sometimes run deep, like Krista's from her childhood in foster care. I felt her struggle in trying to hide her attitude from her new associates and her sweet little daughter. I experienced her anxiety of doing the right thing even though it was unpopular as a new person in town. The author's talented writing also enabled me to picture each person, the decorations, and all the details surrounding the story. It was almost like watching a Christmas movie! Not only will this book put you in the Christmas spirit but will delight you with many surprises along the way. Another incredible Christmas book by the author! I can't wait for the next one!
I received this book from Revell Publications in exchange for an honest review.
The opinions are my own.
Winter Hill looks like a fresh new start her life and her career to recently divorced Krista. Her job as a small town city manager turns out to be much more complex than she anticipated. A difficult childhood in foster care has turned Krista into a non-Christmas person. Even with her little daughter Emily she doesn't celebrate the holiday. Wouldn't you know it! Winter Hill is Christmas celebration crazy! As new city manager she is thrown directly into the hubbub of planning the big event. More serious problems are at hand as Krista finds some concerning evidence in the inner workings of the city finances.
There were so many emotions Ms. Carlson captured in her characters. For one, the excitement of town's people preparing for their giant annual celebration. It was contagious just reading it! I could picture all the food, game booths and families spending quality time together.
Not everyone has Currier and Ives Christmas memories. Pain and disappointment can sometimes run deep, like Krista's from her childhood in foster care. I felt her struggle in trying to hide her attitude from her new associates and her sweet little daughter. I experienced her anxiety of doing the right thing even though it was unpopular as a new person in town. The author's talented writing also enabled me to picture each person, the decorations, and all the details surrounding the story. It was almost like watching a Christmas movie! Not only will this book put you in the Christmas spirit but will delight you with many surprises along the way. Another incredible Christmas book by the author! I can't wait for the next one!
I received this book from Revell Publications in exchange for an honest review.
The opinions are my own.
