Rating: 
Summary: Remembering Christmases Past...
Review: Philip Gulley's Christmas in Harmony is an amusing tale of Sam Gardner's Christmas season. He is the Quaker minister in Harmony, Indiana, and the church is getting ready for Christmas. Dale Hinshaw, the churchs resident creative programmer. He insists that the people of Harmony no longer want the same old Christmas mass, and he decides to organize a Progressive Nativity, without getting anyone's direct agreement, as is usual.Gulley works in elements of some of the downsides of Christmas, such as the mass marketing, when the Nativity scene gets bombarded by different signs from local businesses who won't let Dale use their things without a little free advertising. In fact, the whole nativity turns into a bit of a joke. But, nonetheless, Gulley works into the story many refreshing Christmas thoughts. He is able to make the reader see both sides of Christmas, the mysticism and wonder that a new child feels, and the cynicism and splurging that goes on during the holiday season. As is usual with the Harmony books, he works little thoughts into the end of each chapter, just something to ponder about. This story made me laugh out loud several times. Unfortunately, it was a rather short book, which is why I wouldn't recommend buying it. But if you are able, definitely check it out of the library. It is an amusing Christmas tale that evokes memories of each person's own childhood Christmas, and the wonderful scents, thoughts, gifts, feelings, and overall happiness that Christmas brings about.
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: The whole Harmony series is very enjoyable, and it among my favorite in the fiction genre. They are all light-hearted and full of wonderful and entertaining characters. The books follow Sam, a pastor in a small-town Quaker church, and the eclectic group of individuals who are members.
You will likely find yourself laughing out loud at the antics of Dale, as he undertakes his scripture-egg project or his salvation balloons. Fern Hampton may drive you nuts, but you'll learn to love her. I will say that this one is shorter than all the rest, and didn't leave me quite as fulfilled.
Many reviewers compared this to the Mitford series, reading this one because they enjoyed the Mitford series so much. I tried reading the series after this one, and found it dry and dull.
These books are easy, pleasant and clean reads. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Gully is tops when it comes to humor.
Review: Typical of all of Philip Gulley's books, it is chock full of humor. Most enjoyable is that from one book to the next, we recognize and learn a little more about about each of his book characters. Truly light hearted, entertaining reading.
I was disappointed in the size of the book, only 84 pages, almost child-like in size compared to each his other books. It can easily be consumed in one sitting. Was this one rushed to print because of the Holiday Season? Having read all of Gulley's other books, this one doesn't quite measure up.
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