About Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past
When someone buys the old Honeycutt house, Nora Bonesteel is glad to see some life brought back to the old mansion, even if it is by summer people. But when the new owners decide to stay in their summer home through Christmas, they find more than old memories in the walls. Nora agrees to help sort things out, and is drawn into a time and place she never expected to revisit.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Spencer Arrowood and Deputy Joe LeDonne find themselves on an unwelcome call on Christmas Eve to arrest an elderly man for a minor offense. As the officers attempt to do their duty, it begins to look like they may spend Christmas away from home.
In a story of Christmas, spirits, memories and angels unaware, New York Times best-selling author Sharyn McCrumb revisits the mountains and the characters of her beloved Ballad novels.
Praise for Sharyn McCrumb and her previous bestselling “Ballad” novels
“Ms. McCrumb writes with quiet fire and maybe a little mountain magic….She plucks the mysteries from people’s lives and works these dark narrative threads into Appalachian legends older than the hills. Like every true storyteller, she has the Sight.” —The New York Times Book Review
“There are few writers today who are able to blend past and present, tradition and law, legends and headlines in a wholly credible fashion—Tony Hillerman springs inevitably to mind. Sharyn McCrumb is another; her widely acclaimed Ballad series is one of the finest being written today.” —Bookpage
“McCrumb provides fresh evidence that there is no one quite like her among present-day writers. No one better, either.” —The San Diego Union-Tribune
“True to the language and culture of its time and place…the Ballad series could be headed for bestsellerdom.” —Library Journal
“With fluid writing and sensitive telling, McCrumb presents her Appalachian series as perfectly as dogwood in the spring.” —Houston Chronicle
Read an excerpt here.
Nora Bonesteel’s Christmas Past: A Ballad Novella by Sharyn McCrumb
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I find that a Christmas story any time of year is always a bonus, and since Christmas is so close, this makes this book a double bonus. The book is a quick read, and lovers of this author’s work will recognize beloved characters sprinkled throughout the heartwarming story. Although I was at a bit of a disadvantage at times because I had never read anything by this author, I did find parts of it intriguing. In fact, I think if the book had been expanded to a degree, I would have enjoyed it even more. The spirits and second sight threw me at times, and perhaps that is due to the fact that I am not familiar with the author’s other books. I will say there was no profanity nor bedroom scenes. In addition to that, it can be read in one sitting with no trouble. Certainly a strong 3.5 rating.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
Connect with the author here.
