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Spirits Bright: A Christmas Collection
A different kind of Christmas on a far-away planet. A starship lost on the wrong side of the galaxy. A woman disconnected from everyone she knows. Combining family, traditions, and faith with the wonder and excitement of science fiction, this collection is sure to delight and inspire you this holiday season.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2014
1 person want to read
About the author
Angie Lofthouse
18 books35 followersAngie Lofthouse went to college with every intention of becoming a particle physicist, but through a series of misadventures, found herself studying Shakespeare instead. After college she combined her love of science and her love of words into a science fiction writing career.
Her short stories have appeared in such publications as NFG, AlienSkin, Amazing Journeys, The Sword Review, Dragons, Knights and Angels, Irreantum, and Unparalleled Journeys. Her sci-fi adventure novel, Defenders of the Covenant, was released in 2012.
She lives in a little canyon in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains with her family of writers, artists, singers, composers, illustrators and musicians.
Her short stories have appeared in such publications as NFG, AlienSkin, Amazing Journeys, The Sword Review, Dragons, Knights and Angels, Irreantum, and Unparalleled Journeys. Her sci-fi adventure novel, Defenders of the Covenant, was released in 2012.
She lives in a little canyon in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains with her family of writers, artists, singers, composers, illustrators and musicians.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 21, 2014
Spirits Bright: A Christmas Collection
Written by Angie Lofthouse
Interesting collection of four very different stories centered around a Christian theme. In "Spirits Bright," the reader meets Jacey Morris who is so entangled with her computer world that she rarely leaves her home, often forgetting to wash and eat. When her computer game suddenly goes down, and she hears a knock on the door, the world that has become her reality suddenly collapses. She is about to meet two Mormon missionaries who will introduce her to an alternate universe. The second story titled "Milly's Gift" introduces the reader to a world that has recently been freed from the domination of alien invaders who had been in control for many years. Now the people called the renegades are shedding the trappings of domination and trying to find their own identities. Jerrin and Milly struggle to readjust and find a family to give them a sense of purpose and belonging. "Living Water" is the tale of an anthropology professor called Sean who is visiting the family of his mentor. Sean was born on Earth, but his mentor comes from another world about to celebrate their Nativity Festival. Sean is trying to explain Christmas to them. He will have an adventure with this family that will bring their two cultures closer together yet still leave them miles apart. Finally, in the last story named "Chosen Vessel" Shaalim, the Keeper of a lightship bringing the founders of a new civilization through outer space, faces a crisis when the ship is taken off course and forced to land on another planet. He is given a task by a heavenly messenger. The crew is divided about whether to use force to subdue the planet's inhabitants; some of the planet's citizens have been persecuted, while others have prospered. This sci-fi adventure takes many interesting twists and turns.
These stories are an interesting blend of Christianity, science fiction, holiday traditions, and cultural mores. They contain interesting plots and fairly well developed characters, considering the fact that all four stories take up less than 150 pages. Appropriate for tweens, teens and adults, they are a quick and pleasant holiday afternoon read.
Written by Angie Lofthouse
Interesting collection of four very different stories centered around a Christian theme. In "Spirits Bright," the reader meets Jacey Morris who is so entangled with her computer world that she rarely leaves her home, often forgetting to wash and eat. When her computer game suddenly goes down, and she hears a knock on the door, the world that has become her reality suddenly collapses. She is about to meet two Mormon missionaries who will introduce her to an alternate universe. The second story titled "Milly's Gift" introduces the reader to a world that has recently been freed from the domination of alien invaders who had been in control for many years. Now the people called the renegades are shedding the trappings of domination and trying to find their own identities. Jerrin and Milly struggle to readjust and find a family to give them a sense of purpose and belonging. "Living Water" is the tale of an anthropology professor called Sean who is visiting the family of his mentor. Sean was born on Earth, but his mentor comes from another world about to celebrate their Nativity Festival. Sean is trying to explain Christmas to them. He will have an adventure with this family that will bring their two cultures closer together yet still leave them miles apart. Finally, in the last story named "Chosen Vessel" Shaalim, the Keeper of a lightship bringing the founders of a new civilization through outer space, faces a crisis when the ship is taken off course and forced to land on another planet. He is given a task by a heavenly messenger. The crew is divided about whether to use force to subdue the planet's inhabitants; some of the planet's citizens have been persecuted, while others have prospered. This sci-fi adventure takes many interesting twists and turns.
These stories are an interesting blend of Christianity, science fiction, holiday traditions, and cultural mores. They contain interesting plots and fairly well developed characters, considering the fact that all four stories take up less than 150 pages. Appropriate for tweens, teens and adults, they are a quick and pleasant holiday afternoon read.
December 24, 2014
Spirits Bright contains four original shorts. “Spirits Bright” is about a woman who is invited to an LDS ward Christmas party after her virtual reality holiday plans are disrupted. “Milly’s Gift” is set in Angie’s “Renegade” universe, in which a young woman recovering from her life as an alien captive is determined to give her best friend the perfect Christmas gift. “Living Water” follows the adventures of an anthropologist from Earth who is observing the sacred off-world celebrations related to the birth of the Christ child. “Chosen Vessel” is a retelling of 3rd Nephi events leading up to signs of the Savior’s birth, from the point of view of a young family living in the ancient Americas, and a star ship captain who finds his vessel inexplicably orbiting the planet where the Savior of all the Creator’s children is about to be born.
These stories all take a unique and delightful speculative twist on LDS concepts. They also share themes of getting back in touch with our humanity, healing, and drawing closer to our families and those we love. My favorite story in this collection is “Milly’s Gift.” The characters cling to hope of a bright future while working to rebuilt their devastated world. I fell in love with the characters (and the fact there was a functional LDS Family Search Center that played prominently into the story–so cool!), and became intrigued about other stories Angie has set in this particular sphere. This is a delightful LDS sci-fi collection, perfect for the holiday season.
These stories all take a unique and delightful speculative twist on LDS concepts. They also share themes of getting back in touch with our humanity, healing, and drawing closer to our families and those we love. My favorite story in this collection is “Milly’s Gift.” The characters cling to hope of a bright future while working to rebuilt their devastated world. I fell in love with the characters (and the fact there was a functional LDS Family Search Center that played prominently into the story–so cool!), and became intrigued about other stories Angie has set in this particular sphere. This is a delightful LDS sci-fi collection, perfect for the holiday season.
November 30, 2015
I loved this collection of short Christmas stories. Recommended for sci-fi fans. Each story either involves futuristic technology, alien beings, or other planets. Pretty cool stuff, especially for Christmas stories.
Plus, all 4 stories are built on top of a solid Christian message, which is what really sealed the deal for me. This book was definitely worth my time of reading it this holiday season.
Plus, all 4 stories are built on top of a solid Christian message, which is what really sealed the deal for me. This book was definitely worth my time of reading it this holiday season.
December 31, 2014
I've always enjoyed this author and her stories. She's a good storyteller! These Christmas stories come from a different time, era or planet and kept me reading.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews