REVIEW: CHRISTMAS AT GREY SAGE BY PHYLLIS CLARK NICHOLS

About the book:

 

This Christmas, there’s plenty of room at the inn.

 

Nestled in the snow-covered Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Santa Fe, the Grey Sage Inn looks like the perfect place for weary travelers to escape the craziness of the Christmas season. There’s plenty to see in historic Santa Fe during the day, and the inn’s owners, Maude and Silas Thornhill, are happy to spend their evenings hosting this year’s guests from across the country.

 

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.

 

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the author:

Phyllis Clark Nichols believes everyone could use a little more hope and light. Her character-driven Southern fiction explores profound human questions from within the simple lives of small town communities you just know you’ve visited before. With a love for nature, art, faith and ordinary people, she tells redemptive tales of loss and recovery, estrangement and connection, longing and fulfillment, often through surprisingly serendipitous events. Phyllis grew up in the deep shade of magnolia trees in South Georgia. Now she lives in the Texas Hill Country with her portrait-artist husband, where red birds and axis deer are her ever-ravenous neighbors. She is an English major and classically-trained musician, seminary graduate, concert artist and co-founder of a national cable network for the health and disability-related programming. After retiring as a cable network executive, Phyllis began leading mission teams to orphanages in Guatemala and now serves on three non-profit boards where she works with others who are equally passionate about bringing hope and light to those who need it most.

 

Find out more about Phyllis at http://www.phyllisclarknichols.com.

MY REVIEW:

Christmas at Grey Sage

Phyllis Clark Nichols

Received from LitFuse

CHRISTMAS AT GREY SAGE should totally become a movie that Lifetime or the Hallmark Channel would play every holiday season. As I was reading, it felt like I was right there at the gorgeous inn in New Mexico. I love when an author has the talent to do that and Phyllis Clark Nichols does not disappoint. The characters in this beautiful story hooked me from the very beginning and never let me go. Maude and Silas usually spend the Christmas holiday on vacation because of a tragedy many years ago, but this year they find themselves keeping the inn open for their good friend and her merry band of travelers.

There are many twists and turns in CHRISTMAS AT GREY SAGE and with so many characters, I was a bit confused at first. But once I devoted the time this wonderful story deserves, I was instantly caught up in everyone’s lives, memories, and feelings. A snowstorm traps everyone at the inn and ruins theirs plans. Or so they thought. They all start freaking out and start talking more than they usually would and about things they normally would leave buried deep in their minds. Make a pot of coffee and enjoy because it is going to be an emotional roller coaster ride as you are reading.

My heart really went out to Maude and Silas and the tragedy they have endured. You won’t expect them to move on, but you will find yourself hoping they can find some peace. CHRISTMAS AT GREY SAGE had me hoping that they could make the most of this unusual situation and hopefully find some good in the holiday. I was laughing and crying with all of the characters and loved being reminded of what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.

I am participating in a blog tour of this book and you can read other reviews here.

I received this book from the publisher.  A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.