Sleigh of Hope

Grayson Family #6

by Wendy Lindstrom

Experience the wonder of a Grayson family Christmas...

When Adam Grayson and his sweetheart Rebecca discover two orphans hiding in his sister’s greenhouse on a frigid winter night, they promise to help the boys find a warm, loving home. Adam never suspects that home might be his own. Torn between his desire to help the two orphans and his reluctance to share his new-found family, Adam struggles to become a man of integrity like his father and uncles. If he fails to become an honorable Grayson man or learn the painful life lessons about the true spirit of giving, he risks losing his best friend, his budding romance with Rebecca, and his self-respect.

“Another fabulous addition to the Grayson Brothers series. How I love these characters and their world. Such a beautiful Christmas story. Loved it!”—Mmoore (Amazon review)

“This is a sweet prequel to a true love story. A creative way to tell of a young boy on his way to manhood and the struggles that come with growing up. A true story of the pain and heartache that goes with learning to trust, share and love. I highly recommend this story and the others in the series. A wonderful Christmas story to warm your heart.”—Sandra Sam (Amazon review)

“What a wonderful, heartwarming story! This story made me wish for a Christmas like they had back then.”—Bren

“While reading the Grayson Brothers series you will fall in love with each and everyone that they represent. These books are filled with love, compassion, heartache and longing. From the moment I started reading them I didn't want to put them down. There were moments I felt that I was watching the books unfold right before my eyes. If you enjoy a book that will fill you to the brim please read for yourself The Grayson Brothers.”—KButler Photography

Please Note: Sleigh of Hope (Grayson Series) is the original edition of The Greatest Gift (The Second Chance Brides series), which has been revised for the reader who prefers a book without open-door love scenes. If you prefer sweet, clean romance, please read The Greatest Gift.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Christmas, Historical Fiction, Historical, Novella, Holiday

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2012

About the author

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Wendy Lindstrom is known for the riveting emotional power of her work. Romantic Times has dubbed her “one of romance’s finest writers,” and readers rave about her enthralling characters and “masterfully crafted” stories. She is the creator of the “original Grayson Brothers” series that begins with RITA award-winner Shades of Honor. This bestselling series is available in ebook, paperback editions, and audiobooks.

Reviews

[One-Click · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

Narration - Julia Motyka - Really Good

So this is the Prequel to Adam and Rebecca's story. Adam finds a boy about his age (Leo) and his toddler brother in the greenhouse and ends up telling his parents and they bring them home to get them warmed up and fed. They are runaways from the orphanage and Duke lets them know they are free to stay.

Adam spends most of the book in a love/hate relationship with Leo. He doesn't want to like him, but only because he's jealous of the relationship that is developing between Leo and Duke.

The book is a lot about love, hope, caring for your neighbor, giving and community along with the plot regarding Adam's struggles to be a good man like his father and uncles. He sort of fails miserably at that in a weak moment and then spends the rest of the book trying to make up for that. If you liked the previous books in the series, you'll like this one as well. It's just another sweet book.

[Sandra Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

This is a sweet prequel to a true love story. A creative way to tell of a young boy on his way to manhood and the struggles that come with growing up. Born poor and with no father he struggles to share his new dad with his new friend. A true story of the pain and heartache that goes with learning to trust, share and love. I highly recommend you read this story and the others in the series. A wonderful Christmas story to warm your heart💖💖💖💖💖

[Nancy Dillow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story keeps knitting in more and more love as the days go by. At first, Adam is jealous of Leo, even though he was the one that discovered Leo and his little brother in the greenhouse. Neither of the brothers were dressed for the heavy winter snows and winds. Putting things aside for a while, he brings them into his growing family. There are lots of aunts and uncles for everyone, but Adam becomes jealous of the attention HIS father is giving Leo.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet look into Adam and Rebecca's story. This gives us the teens a year after they first met and Adam is still struggling to feel part of the Grayson family. When two orphans show up he will be faced with not only jealousy and fear of loosing his place with his new father but also a sense of doing what is right even if its hard. I enjoyed getting their young love story before their full book.

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleigh of Hope (Grayson Brothers Book 6)

It's Christmas time in Fredonia, NY. Adam has live a year as the eldest son of Duke and Faith Grayson. It's weeks before Christmas when Adam and Rebecca find two brothers in Faith's greenhouse. When they move into his family, jealousy shows his ugly head. Can Adam be a true Grandson and find love in his heart for Benny and Leo?

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I just about didn't read this book as I was so tired of the first four books having more and more sexual situations in them but I am really glad I continued reading. This book was excellent. It was clean and well written. I hope the rest in the series are as good.

[Bonney Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

It was great to see the children growing up in the stories loved the characters and how they again come to life . Enjoyed the brothers taking the boys hunting and the gift of Christmas that made the story so real

[Larry Coons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleigh of Hope (The Grayson Family Book 6

Another exciting and lovely Book from this Awesome Author. So much love and happiness in each and every Storyline making the reader feel the love too.

[Svalora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! What a neat addition to the Grayson family of stories! Looking forward to book 6

[rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This book was slightly different from the other in the series because the main character was fourteen year old Adam but it ended up being a good book.

[Sharon Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thankful Christmas plan

This story should help us all look around and see what we can do for others. Be blessed and bless others

[Deb McIntire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gift of Giving

Absolutely loved this Christmas story about, love, acceptance, forgiveness and giving. This is a Great read for sure! Thank you!

[Jackie K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

I highly recommend this book! Such a touching book about the joy of giving around the holidays! This is truly a wonderful series!!!!

[Nancy Stopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Promise is a quick easy-read novella that is the "sweet" edition of Sleigh of Hope by Wendy Lindstrom. It's primary focus was on Adam, the adopted son of Duke Grayson. Adam is a sweet boy who has settled in with his new family as Duke's son. He struggles with jealousy and fear of losing the hold on his family when new orphans come to town. I enjoyed seeing the struggles that Adam faces with jealousy and guilt - afraid to lose his family but feeling terrible for not wanting the new kids to live with him. The feelings Adam experiences are real feelings of losing a person's place in their family and with their parents - trying to forge their unique identity in their world. It is really refreshing to watch as he struggles to figure out how to do the right thing while trying not to lose what's important to him.

This story also shows how a small town can come together to support their own - from rebuilding a home that burnt down, to delivering wood to families who couldn't heat their houses, and to providing food for those who were hungry. Adam sees the needs in his neighbors, and feeling guilty that he didn't help Leo in the best way possible, turns that into an opportunity to help many people. Adam draws on his experiences of being hungry and and his feelings of being alone to determine how to help his neighbors in Fredonia, and ultimately uses that experience to draw Leo into a closer relationship.

I love that Adam is already in love with Rebecca and has decided that he'll marry her. That confidence in his feelings and his future isn't often seen in modern day men and is a refreshing look at how love can be so simple when the complications of life and adulthood can be removed. That said, the author has created children who are as wonderfully-complex, caring, and loving as the adults that support and love them. If children today had even a small amount of the fortitude, honor, and drive that Adam, Rebecca, Leo, and the rest of Fredonia have, our world would be a much better place.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Dawn Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review.

This is essentially Adam's story. The year is 1880 and it's Christmas time.

There are two main themes going on -
One, young, budding romance. Adam is now 14 and he's desperately in love with Rebecca. He dreams of a future with her, yet he knows that he must wait for several years. In the meantime, he cherishes any moment allowed with her.

Two, selfish jealousy. Adam and Rebecca discover a young boy, Leo, and his baby brother, Benny, hiding in the greenhouse. Adam is instantly aware that the boy is older and very good looking. He's afraid that Rebecca might be attracted to him. Also, when he has to tell his new father, Duke, about them, he's scared that they'll stay and replace him as the only son in the family.

Adam goes through a lot of emotional growing up. He's young, yet he wants desperately to be a man. Unfortunately, those childish feelings keep getting in the way. How can he show friendship and love to an orphan and share his family? Where does Rebecca fit in? Will he have to share his new father?

I liked how Adam manned up to his harmful emotions and realized the damage he could do to others if he didn't change. In the end, everything worked out, but Adam learned a valuable lesson.

Language and Romance is completely clean - not even a kiss
8 chapters

My rating 5 stars.

[Dawn Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review.

This is essentially Adam's story. The year is 1880 and it's Christmas time.

There are two main themes going on -
One, young, budding romance. Adam is now 14 and he's desperately in love with Rebecca. He dreams of a future with her, yet he knows that he must wait for several years. In the meantime, he cherishes any moment allowed with her.

Two, selfish jealousy. Adam and Rebecca discover a young boy, Leo, and his baby brother, Benny, hiding in the greenhouse. Adam is instantly aware that the boy is older and very good looking. He's afraid that Rebecca might be attracted to him. Also, when he has to tell his new father, Duke, about them, he's scared that they'll stay and replace him as the only son in the family.

Adam goes through a lot of emotional growing up. He's young, yet he wants desperately to be a man. Unfortunately, those childish feelings keep getting in the way. How can he show friendship and love to an orphan and share his family? Where does Rebecca fit in? Will he have to share his new father?

I liked how Adam manned up to his harmful emotions and realized the damage he could do to others if he didn't change. In the end, everything worked out, but Adam learned a valuable lesson.

Language and Romance is completely clean - not even a kiss
8 chapters

My rating 5 stars.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becoming a man his father, Duke Grayson, can be proud of is something newly adopted Adam Dearborn strives for. Spending time alone with his sweetheart is another. But when he finds two orphans hiding in his sister's greenhouse, he does what a Grayson man would do and he finds them help. Except he didn't expect help to come in the form of the two boys moving in with his new family. Having spent his life without a father, and just now having one that claims him as his own, Adam is not ready to share. Even if that is the right thing to do. Parents have more than one kid all the time. He even shares Duke with his little sister, but to share him with another strapping boy? That turns out to be more than he is ready to do. But actions have consequences, and losing a friend turns out to be heartbreaking for both parties. Sleigh of Hope is a sweet novella about becoming a man, earning a friend and helping others the Grayson way. It is a chance to revisit with all the Grayson men and their lovely women and to meet more endearing characters that will surely earn future tales of their own.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet. Who wouldn't want teenagers that act like this and who appreciate what they have. Adam has just what he wants, a new father, a home, food to eat and his girlfriend. He tries to sneak away with her and finds a boy in the greenhouse instead. The boy is a run-away from the orphanage. He has his little brother with him. The Graysons take them in, but Adam starts to worry that everything he just got will slip away because they can't possibly love both boys. He figures it out and with great maturity, helps the boys and a lot of people in the town. He discovers the true spirit of Christmas.

[Ida Loyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Read !!

This book has everything you are looking for in a great read.Strong well developed characters and a great plot,with just enough twist and turn to keep the story flowing and the reader looking for more. It was hard to put down before the end. If you are looking for a clean romance story this is the book for you. I recommend this book for all readers. Wendy Lindstrom you have a new follower,I will t reading all of your books.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story of how a boy who has just been adopted and found a place of his own with his new family deals with jealousy and insecurity when a couple of brothers in a situation very similar to himself come along. As he struggles with his feelings, Adam finds the true meaning of Christmas.

This novella is part of the Grayson Brothers series. I was impressed with the attention to historical detail. I'll have to get caught up on the rest of the series.

[KRISTEN LAWRENCE · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not worth the effort

I loved the first four books in this series. I suspected that this was not going to live up to the others, and I was right. Too short to develop any character, so just kept repeating the same things. I was concerned it might be setting up book 6, but nothing really happened, so that is not the case.

[Mary Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Greatest Gift

I enjoyed this book with all of the drama of two new boys being discovered at the greenhouse and Adam not wanting them in his house. They worked everything out and had a wonderful Christmas sharing all the joy with everyone in need. Adam figured out what having friends was all about.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have sincerely enjoyed this series and can't wait until the next book is available. This book is a sweet Christmas story. It was nice to catch up with all the members of the Grayson family and their friends.

[Cheryl Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the prequel to Adam and Rebecca's story. In the novella, Adam learns important lessons about the Christmas spirit. It is a shorter story than I usually like but it was an easy, upbeat read.

[Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Grayson series. Looking forward to the next one.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

By this time you would think Wendy's books about the Grayson brothers would be going stale; however she manages to make each of her books just as interesting as they others. Good job, Wendy.

[Louiseann Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This is so great as you see people helping friends, neighbors, families, and strangers. The spirit of Christmas and the true meaning comes across so great.

[Robynne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Young adult book

The book is written from the perspective of a 12 year old boy. I kept waiting for it to get good.

[windy walsh-berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book !!

I love these books. They are realistic, attention holding and very enjoyable to read. Am looking forward to next one in the series. Can't wait to start it.

[Ola Fischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

so so

This was a ho- hum story with no excitement at all. Bedtime story to put me to sleep.
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