Nora Bonesteel's Christmas Past: A Ballad Novella by Sharyn McCrumb

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 they decide to stay through Christmas, they find more than old memories in the walls. On Christmas Eve, Sheriff Spencer Arrowwood and Deputy Joe LeDonne find themselves on an unwelcome call to arrest an elderly man for a minor offense. As they attempt to do their duty, while doing the right thing for a neighbor, it begins to look like they may all spend Christmas away from home. In a story of spirits, memories, and angels unaware, Sharyn McCrumb revisits her most loved characters who know there is more to this world than the eye can see, especially at Christmastime.


About The Author

Nora Bonesteel is an American writer whose books celebrate the history and folklore of Appalachia. McCrumb is the winner of numerous literary awards, and the author of the Elizabeth McPherson series, the Ballad series, and the St. Dale series.









My Review: 

Reading this book was like reading two short stories at once, and although they flipped back and forth, it was a quick easy read.
The old Honeycutt place has been sold and a summer resident has been fixing it up. When strange things begin to happen, they contact Nora, as she has a gift of Sight. Had a few chuckles when it was told what was happening, a palm tree? Really? The story did have interesting insight into past Christmas at the mansion, and brought us up to the present.
The second story I could almost guess what was happening, really funny, and the old man really got his monies worth. I loved it. Just one more thing and then I can go, ok, how about chopping a months worth of wood? Or, half a dozen other chores that seem to be waiting for them, the real spirit of Christmas, yes!
I think I was expecting more, but the stories satisfied me, and felt maybe the characters got what was expected and maybe more.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Abingdon Press, and I was not required to give a positive review.