The Spirit of the Season

Tales from Grace Chapel Inn #21

by Dana Corbit

Once readers visit the charming village of Acorn Hill they'll never want to leave. Three sisters-Louise, a widow from Philadelphia; Alice, an unmarried nurse who lived with her father; and Jane, a divorced chef from San Francisco-reunite in the sleepy town after their father's death and turn the family home into a charming bed-and-breakfast. Here the sisters rekindle old memories, rediscover their childhood bonds, revel in the blessings of friendship and meet fascinating guests along the way.-------It's December and Acorn Hill is festive, but the Howard sisters are about to discover that Christmas doesn't always mean peace on earth. A misunderstanding between Florence Simpson and her husband Ronald has Florence jetting off to Florida-and feisty Ethel has just the solution. She sets off after her friend and drags Alice and Ronald with her, determined to convince Florence that her marriage is worth fighting for. Can she get through to the couple in time to make it back to Acorn Hill by Christmas? Meanwhile, the downtown merchants of Acorn Hill start a Secret Santa program, and Jane sees a special way to arrange a special Secret Santa delivery for a needy family in town. As Christmas gets closer, they all begin to get into the spirit of the season.

Genres: Christmas, Christian Fiction, Christian

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Christmas book of Grace Chapel Inn just didn't do it for me this time. While this is only the second Grace Chapel Inn book I didn't like as well, I wouldn't say it was bad. It just didn't hold my interest like the others. It definitely was longer than some of the others and dragged a bit. This won't discourage me from reading more in this series though because I enjoy visiting with the three sisters and their Aunt Ethel.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sisters are looking forward to a quiet Christmas with no guests and Louise’s daughter visiting, until their aunt’s friend comes in crying that her marriage is over and she is taking off for Florida. Aunt Ethel decides that she,Alice and Ronald(the friend’s husband) will drive 16 hours to Florida to save the marriage. Louise and Jane are left to deal with unexpected guests, a troubled family, Louise bringing a man home with her and the secret santa project.

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully fun and enjoyable read. I loved the inspirational thread and reading about the Howard sisters and Aunt Ethel again. I love this whole series. It is well written.

[Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed every title I've read so far from the multi author Tales From Grace Chapel Inn series, and The Spirit of the Season ended up being a new favorite.

While I wasn't sure I was going to end up enjoying this one as much, since the story set up is a bit different from any of the previous titles, it ended up being a wonderful and heartwarming read, made all the more festive by it taking place at Christmas.

Sisters Louise, Alice and Jane are looking forward to a quiet Christmas season at their inn this year. However, plans suddenly take a surprising turn, and Alice finds herself accompanying her aunt Ethel and a friend to Florida, and Louise and Jane find themselves will a houseful of guests who need to rediscover the joy of the Christmas season. As each sister tries to maneuver her way through difficult decisions and shine a light for Jesus, the reader is treated to a heartwarming tale that showcases some of the life's many difficulties, and focuses on the only one who can truly help us through them.

Without giving away spoilers, certain situations in this book really touched my heart, and I was thankful the author included them, and didn't sugarcoat how devastating the effects can be.

This was another wonderful visit to Grace Chapel Inn, and I'd highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a heartwarming read this holiday season that truly highlights the reason for the season.

Final Rating: 4/5.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even tho the Howard sisters were planning to have a quiet Christmas season... and not take any guests reservations... plans always change. Florence and Ronald Simpson had a huge misunderstanding, so much so that she jets off to Florida to stay with her neice's family. Aunt Ethel has only one solution in mind... convince Ronald they have to go get Florence and beg her forgiveness... and bring Alice along. It turns out the Inn is fully booked and Jane and Louise are left to meet all the needs of each family and also make all the preparations for the Secret Santa, the christmas caroling night... and besides that Alice's daughter, Cynthia, is home for the holidays with a male companion that she seems smitten with.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sisters meddle to bring about Christmas cheer and resolutions in a Christian way. The story takes place in Pennsylvania and in Florida. The plot is well developed and the characters appropriate to the story.

[Mary Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I expected. Seemed a little simplistic, but thought it might be a good Christmas read. Planned to put it down when my new library book came in, but kept finding myself more & more fascinated by the storylines & kept picking it up despite the deadline to finish my library choice.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this tale to carry on in my interest of this series

[Susan Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. It's the first one I've read about the three sisters and the happenings in their charming inn. I'll be looking for more.

[jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family adventure

This story is filled with family adventure from mixed up vacation to marriage woes but the Howard's tackle it all with Gods grace loved this story

[Bertina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming story - great read - I Loved It

[Linda Corrigan]

A feel-good Christmas story

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was very boring.

[Emily Baccante · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute little Christmas read

[Reyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I didn't know this was the 21st book in the "Tales from Grace Chapel Inn" series. It read fine as a standalone book. It's about three sisters, Louise, Alice, and Jane who turn their deceased father's home into a bed-and-breakfast. This installment has them trying bring a couple back together and help one of their guests slow their family life down and enjoy each other more.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book #21 in the Grace Chapel Inn series, and the only one written by this author. I almost rated this book a 1 star but then a few more chapters it improved to a 2 star and the ending bumped it up to a three star. Now let me explain. For those that have read the Grace Chapel Inn series this book is SOOO out of 'air' of the others. Almost as if you were watching them in a tv series and this episode comes on and they are all different actors-actresses playing the same role. In a series you just can't change up personalities and expect your loyal readers to follow along happily. I almost put the book down and didn't pick it up but I have a rule that I read the first 5 chapters or the first 100 pages before I give up on a book; so am glad I didn't give up. It did start getting better. Although the characters were so 'off' I had to just put that aside. Also although these are Christian based books-series. This book had LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of references to Scripture and had the characters saying things that they normally don't say in the other books. Usually there is reference to God and Scripture but it's not 'in your face' and this book it seemed like phrases or scripture was always being said or referred to etc. Instead of as in the other books deeds or actions being done 'quietly' and without pushing someone's religion in others face. Don't get me wrong if this had been a 'stand alone' book instead of part of Grace Chapel Inn I probably would have given it a four star easy hands down as the story lines (yes there are about three going on in the story)are all good. Although at times the author put in much to much descriptions in my opinion but to each their own. But with this book being part of the Grace Chapel Inn series they have always emphasized Christianity as being actions and 'gentle' not 'sudden and in your face'. This summary may upset some people and others may not 'get' what I'm trying to say. But basically as a Grace Chapel Inn book it didn't do justice to the characters that the other books did, just to much change of personalities and actions that we are used to. BUT if this book was one outside the series then you could probably appreciate it for how the writer intended it to be.

Now with that said, the Grace Chapel Inn books you don't have to read in any type of order to understand what is going on. This series is written by several different authors but all have the same town and characters in the books. I have read 8 of the 47 books now and have enjoyed them all, this one much less than the others but still... If you really want to understand how the Inn got started then read the first two books in the series Back Home Again and Going to the Chapel then after that read them in whatever order you choose to do so. I normally pick up the ones for the time of year it is, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Fall etc. Just adds to the specialness of the book settings

[Roberta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here's what I don't understand about this series - the books are written by a lot of different authors under the umbrella of "Tales from Grace Chapel Inn." Melody Carlson, Rebecca Kelly, Judy Baer, Jane Orcutt, and this author are some of the many. This being the only one of the series I've read, I have to wonder how the others stack up. Are the characters the same throughout the series? Styles of writing differ and I wonder if the writing is better in some books than in others or is there a formula they all follow? Do some authors describe more dimensional and likeable characters? I found myself getting really annoyed by the anile sisters. I envisioned Lily Tomlin's Ernestine, the telephone operator, fussing with her blouse and snorting over a "humorous" joke. And there certainly was a lot of "chuckling" going on. Oh, and lace seemed to be everywhere.

So, aside from the quality of this particular author's writing style, I found the story to be slow at best. There were too many characters with few, if any, personality traits to distinguish them and I found it really hard to keep track of which old lady in a pink or peach track suit was which. When I would first pick the book back up to continue from where I had left off, it took me a couple pages to remember what was going on. That usually indicates to me that the story is not compelling.

This one didn't put me in the spirit of the season at all. It's just too precious for my taste.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely addition to this delightful series about 3 sisters who turn their old, Victorian family home into a B&B after the death of their father, who was also pastor of Grace Chapel. Each book is based in that B&B and revolves around the sisters, the other residents of Acorn Hill (the small Pennsylvania town in which they live) and the guests who come to stay at Grace Chapel Inn.

In this particular book, the sisters are looking forward to a quiet Christmas alone with the Inn closed. Their only guest is meant to be Cynthia, the daughter of Louise, the oldest sister. However, God has other plans as Cynthia surprises her mother by inviting a male friend, a stressed-out & over-committed family from California shows up in need of accommodations and Alice (the middle sister) ends up driving to Florida with her Aunt Ethyl to try to help an Acorn Hill couple save their marriage.

There was plenty of chuckling at Ethyl's antics and smiling at the actions/feelings of these 3 wonderful sisters. And, as in all of these books, the reader does not have to worry about profanity of sexual scenes. A great read!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Grace Chapel Inn book. Jane helps a family in need after the father lost his job. Alice goes with Aunt Ethel to Florida to help Florence and her husband try to save their marriage. Louise questions her out spokenness to a family who are over scheduled and dont like each other. The mother and family finally come around and it is a wonderful Christmas for them all.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was well written, entertaining, and heartwarming. There is certainly a strong Christian theme, but did not feel it was over the top or excessively preachy, which is a lot coming from and interfaith person.
Something good to read with someone you love. Quite a good exploration of relationships and community.

[Janie R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 100 degrees outside, and I am reading this book which happens to be a Christmas book, with snow, and all the trimmings. The generosity and warmth shown toward others by the three sisters, and the community, made this a cozy- "want to sit by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate kind of book". The Christmas spirit was alive and well, in the little town of Acorn,Pennsylvania.

[Diane Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. The Grace Chapel Inn series are written by different authors about the same three sisters who run a bed and breakfast in their old family home. The story was good for relaxation. The book has way too much description of what each person wears every time they get dressed, but if you can ignore that, the story is pleasant and does deal with problems in people's lives.

[Alice Teets · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series, but the thing is - every book is written by a different author, and obviously you are going to like some authors more than others. This was just not my favorite story. I enjoyed the premise and the story though.

[Karen Hollcraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm carrying the spirit of Christmas right off the pages of this delightful novel

I especially enjoyed the clever way each life was woven meaningfully together. It read like real life. We are having family problems I know God will direct our unity.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this inspirational Grace Chapel Inn Christmas Book. It was a nice easy read, with well developed warm characters and a joyful ending. 3 1/2/stars from me !

[Stacy Rist · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far so good! One of my favorites!

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Festive book. enjoyed it.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

# 21 - Tales from Grace Chapel Inn Series

[Amy S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not as good as previous Tales From Grace Chapel Inn but still a sweet story with a nice ending. Just didn't "captivate" me.