A Warmth in Winter

Without a doubt one of the best books I have picked up this year. This one has been sitting in my stack and I picked it up last night to read something before bed and haven't been able to put it down! I look forward to reading the first two. I have to say that all the characters grabbed me and although I knew some of what was going to happen I couldn't wait to read it and rejoice right along with the citizens of Heavenly Daze as they learned more about themselves, each other and the Lord. Bravo!!!

Lori and Angela:I have read and reread all that that you have written about the Island of Heavenly Daze, and my question is: When can we expect more of these delightful books? They are so uplifting and spiritual, and I crave to know more about the people of Heavenly Daze and the seven angels who are assigned to watch over them. PLEASE tell me that there are more coming soon. :) I loan them out with great care, and when I think my friends have had enough time to read them, I ask for them back! You are among the few authors that I treasure in my collection.Thank you so much for enrichng my life,Ruth E. Young

Was looking for something to read on the beach and the cover caught my eye..the lighthouse. I didn't know it was a series and read Warmth in Winter first.Just finished Grace in Autumn.Great "feel-good-yank -your priorities- back -in- line- cause- God is- handling- the- situation" reading.

As cold winds bring drifts of soft snow, readers will find WARMTH IN WINTER (4.5). Authors Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt have another stellar novel as inviting as the smell of Bea and Birdie's bakery. There's much to do on the island of Heavenly Daze as residents prepare for Christmas. Vernie Bidderman, proprietor of Mooseleuk's, seems to be in a daze. Meanwhile, Salt Gribbon's secret is getting more difficult to keep. Birdie Wester wants to help, but Salt is determined to do things his way, which may have a cost. On the mainland, Annie Cuvier struggles with her desire to take a fun cruise at Christmas rather than visit the island, especially since Dr. Marc hopes to set her up with his son, Alex. Yes, life on the small Maine island is unusual, its inhabitants almost eccentric, but there's no other place they'd rather be. From the moment you open the book, until that final sigh when you close it, you'll laugh, cry, and rejoice. A combination of "It's a Wonderful Life" and A Christmas Carol, this is a book you'll read every Christmas.

It's not necessary to read the previous "Heavenly Daze" books to enjoy this third tale in the series, but it doesn't hurt to familiarize yourself with the characters, either. The authors find ways to convey background information that you need to know if you haven't read the other books. Each of the "Heavenly Daze" books seems to focus on a few of the Maine island's occupants - this helps keep the reader interested (more than one person going through different situations), yet doesn't overwhelm the reader - though there are brief introductions of a multitude of islanders, the authors nicely put the spotlight on just a few and make them our friends by the end of the book. Warmth in Winter is no different... during the holiday season, the reader gets to know Salt Gribbon, the old lighthouse keeper, his grandchildren whom he wants to hide away in an attempt to keep them safe, and Birdie Wester, the retired librarian who comes to Salt and the kids' rescue and depite her feelings of inadequacy, provides an abundance of love that they need. Though Salt doesn't have a specific angel tending him, Gavriel steps in beautifully and displays his unique angel personality a little more openly than the other books. We also meet Vernie's husband, Stanley who has been absent for 20 years. When he calls Vernie at Mooselouk Mercantile, he so flusters Vernie when she is trying to place an order for supplies that disaster occurs and Vernie doesn't know how to tell her friends the truth. Vernie thinks simply hanging up on Stan will solve the problem, but she doesn't count on his coming to Heavenly Daze after all of these years... And don't forget Annie, Olympia's niece, who visits the island on weekends to tend to her tomato experiment. Dr. Marc is still after her to meet his son, Alex, but Annie is NOT interested. She is interested, however, in going on a cruise over the holidays, but how can she think of leaving her aunt at a time when she needs her so much?It's so easy to get addicted to this Heavenly Daze series. It's easy to relate to the islander's fears of being rejected and their aches and their hopes to get over those aches. Great book to curl up with any time of year, maybe more so when you're in need of a little extra hope.