Winter Wonders

Tales from Grace Chapel Inn #6

by Melody Carlson

When Louise's daughter Cynthia brings home a famous home-and-garden expert to write a children's book, the Howard sisters' peaceful lives are turned upside down. And now Alice has gone and gotten herself involved in the local dog racing. The dogs are being mistreated, and she's jumped into the cause, head first, becoming far more involved than she'd ever intended. One thing is certain, life is never dull in Acorn Hill, particularly at the Grace Chapel Inn Bed and Breakfast, where long winter days are filled with wonders. Once you visit the charming village of Acorn Hill, tucked away in rural Pennsylvania, you'll never want to leave. Townsfolk relax on their porch swings or gather to discuss the day's events at the Coffee Shop over homemade pie. It's the kind of town where friendship and faith flow together.

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Fiction

237 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book that was given to me was a 2-in-one. This story had a much more interesting plot, though the dialogue was still pretty flat and predictable. You can skim half of these and not miss anything. The visiting author and Harold both added some spice, though I felt like Carlson missed a huge chance to make the tea plot into something a lot more interesting.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise's daughter brings home a TV expert on home and family to finish a children's book they are writing. The expert is very critical of Jane's cooking and the house. A fill in pharmacist catches Aunt Ethel's eye and she ignores her long time beau who has taken up bowling and is making her feel left out. The fill in likes dog races and Alice goes with him and sees that the dogs are mistreated and starts a protest that gets her taken to jail. Not as good as the other books I have read in the series.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I said this with the last review, but I switched reading this one and #7 because technically this comes first, but the bulk of #7's story comes before this at Christmas time. So onward with my review of #6, but #7 for me.

While this book isn't my most favorite of the ones I've read so far, it is still absolutely charming. Louise's daughter, Cynthia brings a famous woman to town to write a children's book with, but the celebrity is easily distracted and not very good at children's literature. All the while Alice is a one-woman army fighting the injustices of dog racing as there is a new racetrack in the neighboring town of Potterson who is abusing their dogs. Ethel and Lloyd are on the rocks and an unexpected guest checks in at the inn, Harold, who lost his wife a year ago and is just on a wondering journey to see where he lands (and he couldn't have picked a better place.)

I loved how Victoria's (the celebrity writer) story came out in the end and all the "Save the dogs" drama, but my favorite part of this book was honestly Harold. His nights playing showtunes on the piano and the party they had, was just so fun to read. And I loved his bond with the sisters and the promise that we might see him again in the future. And once again one of my favorite things about these books is all the baking/cooking Jane does around the inn. No one can resist her treats and at any given event or time of the day when you walk in the door, there she is with a platter waiting or having just got done and you get something warm right off the tray. I can only imagine how the inn probably smells all the time, how delightful. Now I'm not a fan of winter, but winter never looked so good as it does at Acorn Hill.

Found: Bought off Ebay

[Chrissy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and cozy Christian book. Just a clean simple sweet book to pass the time in the cold winter months. Many little smiles crossed my face while reading. I have been reading very heavy deep studies and books so this was just a little lighthearted book to not have my brain work a ton as I enjoyed a quaint little read.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only have one more book from this series here at home. Two more on the way from the library. I discovered that there are actually 47 in all! Love these ladies and I am inspired by each story. I will have to figure our how to get the others!

[Maryann Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sweet little story that is rather bland. Kind of ho-hum. If you enjoy quiet stories, this may be for you.

[Asmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so happy endings are a must for me and these books have them even if they are unbelievable and far fetched it still makes me smile

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful winter read,particularly for dog lovers.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had a storyline of abused greyhounds at a greyhound racetrack. I liked that the author brought this into the light for readers of this series.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was exactly what I expected it it be in the best possible way. A cozy, low-stakes, easy read when real life was hectic with holiday plans.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

6th book in series. Louise's daughter come home to the inn with a client of hers, to finish a children's book. The client is a celebrity but comes off as very judgmental. Alice ends up campaigning for the abuse of greyhound race dogs.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series is written by several authors; but uses the same characters and places so the reader can pick the book up and not miss anything. Some authors are of course better than others. But out of the eight or nine books I've read there has only been one author I didn't like and she (thankfully) only wrote one book.

Ms Carlson did a great job with this book. There were a few times that it seemed like things were being repeatative but she didn't 'stay there' long and moved on. She does use refrences to Faith, scripture and God often within the story. (Again this is a difference in the authors some uses quite a bit of refrences and others don't.) As a reader you soon cheer for the main character as she soon learns a great life lesson as does the Howard sisters too. You won't regret reading this book.

Also you do not have to read these in order. And actually depending on which website you look them up on there is different listings as to how the books are numbered. The only books that I would recommend is book 1 and 2 so you can understand how things came about and who the Howard sisters are (whom are the center characters in each book). But if you can't read those first two books don't worry because the others you can still read and understand.

This series I can recommend to my preteen-teen readers. Although they maybe a bit bored with some of them as some deal with 'elderly' things. Issues that retired people deal with, or widowed people deal with etc. But other books families come to the Inn and the story is centered around the family and or children. So advanced readers and get a lesson on Faith and dealing with life issues through these books.

[Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always look forward to getting to visit the idyllic Grace Chapel Inn and the three sisters that call it home. While I wouldn't say this was my favorite of the series so far, it was still an excellent story that gave off all the cozy vibes, and illustrated how important faith truly is, no matter what anyone of us are personally going through.

I loved that this particular story takes place during the winter months, and showcases to readers what happens when unexpected guests end up descending on the beloved inn. The story also takes a bit of a deeper plot twist in this one, when the middle sister Alice inadvertently gets involved in protesting the animal abuse taking place at the local dog racing track.

With a well written plot, just the right amount of tension and drama, and a showcase once again of how the town comes together for both fun events and important causes, Melody Carlson has written another beautiful edition to the Tales From Grace Chapel Inn series.

Final Rating: 4/5.

I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys sweet, small town faith based reads.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this Christian series about as trio of sisters who re-unite to turn their old famiy home into a B&B after the passing of their father. In this book, we find Alice, the middle sister, getting involved in protesting the mistreatment of dogs at a local racetrack. She gets so much more than she ever bargained for just trying to do what she thought was the right thing.

On the guest side, Louise's (the eldest sister) daughter (Cynthia) comes for a stay with a famous TV home & cooking star, Victoria. Everyone is so excited to meet this star, especially the youngest sister (Jane) as she is a chef herself.

It is a wonderful story that shows people's passions and how they can be used for good or bad. It is also a story of the sisters' love for each other and their town.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cynthia, Louise's daughter, comes to stay at Grace Chapel Inn and brings her co-writer along. She is a famous home and garden expert but has no experience with children or children's books so it isn't surprising that Cynthia is very frustrated as she tries to co-write a children's book with her.
Another guest, Harold is a widower who is trying to cope with the one-year anniversary of the passing of his wife. While staying at the Inn, he visits the dog track. Alice finds out that some dogs are being mistreated so she protests and ends up being arrested.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Christian read from the Grace Chapel Inn series. A famous home and garden expert comes to stay at the Inn. One of the sisters get involved when she finds out that dogs at the racing track are being mistreated.Both if these events cause the winter not to be peaceful at the Inn.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this series of books because I liked the cover of one of the early ones. There are a lot of books in this series and it is easy to take a break from it and come back later. If you want an easy feel-good read, this is a good series.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four star rating compared to other books in the series. The mild-mannered Alice takes a stand for mistreated dogs. A thinly veiled celebrity (Martha Stewart) puts Jane in a panic. This one was fun.

[Cws]

YA GCI(Reg)

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my favorite of the series

[Jenice Herzog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always simple and sweet. Dependable books for a cozy read.

[Chaplain2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a gentle read from Guideposts, one of the Tales from Grace Chapel Inn collection. It was pleasant and enjoyable.

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series. Domestic goddess visits the inn. Fun ensues.

[Dame]

Another great book by Melody Carlson.