“Christmas at Grey Sage” by Phyllis Clark Nichols

But an unusual snowstorm throws a wrench in the festive mood. The sprawling inn becomes close quarters as stranded guests discover this Christmas won’t be the relaxed vacation they expected. Tension and fear mount as the storm worsens, and Silas, a retired doctor, is called away in the middle of the night to care for a neighbor. The snow and stress unlocks tongues and in the unexpected conversation that follows, secrets and pasts are revealed, and hearts are healed.

In the midst of snowdrifts and fireside conversations, of tales of days gone by, the warmth of Christmas brings a renewed hope as these trapped strangers become friends – proof again that the joy, hope, peace, and love of Christmas can be experienced no matter where you are.

 

Reading Christmas at Grey Sage will put you in the Christmas spirit, no matter how far from it you start!  Nichols has written a sweet story of healing and holiday fun.  It’s like settling in with a warm cup of hot chocolate after a cold walk outside.  Somehow her words settle into your spirit and warm your soul.  Even when there are exciting things happening on the pages, and I didn’t want to put the book down, the story stayed sweet.

 

Sometimes you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, hard core mystery; others, you need something soothing, and Christmas at Grey Sage is just that kind of story.  I think it’s because Maude always seems to have everything together, even when you know she really doesn’t.  She stays calm in the pages of the book, even when you learn about her tragic past, and she lends an air of sweetness to the whole thing.

 

That’s  not to say that everyone is as calm as Maude.  Nearly every other character is, at best, downright quirky.  Bea gets most facts wrong and Lily is full of fire, just to name a few, but they keep the mood lighthearted and fun.

 

I love the way that Nichols explores deep life lessons throughout the story and her wide cast of characters.  The things with which her characters must deal are things we all face at one time or another, ‘seeing’ others deal with them successfully is encouraging.

 

 

I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity.  All opinions are my own.